Economy Minister Conor Murphy has congratulated local vocational skills students who have once again showcased their abilities on the world stage.

Five local students competed as part of Team UK in the global WorldSkills Lyon 2024 competition in September 2024.

The Minister held a reception in Parliament Buildings, Belfast, to congratulate the local students who competed. For the first time all the local team members achieved world standard or better.

Speaking after the reception, attended by students, as well as representatives from the further education colleges and private training providers, the Minister said: “Once again our local vocational skills learners are competing, and succeeding, at international level. Our competitors always do well in WorldSkills competitions but this year in Lyon they have outdone themselves, with all of them securing medals, a first for the north.”

The local students included:

  • David McKeown, Autobody Repair, from James McKeown Accident Repair/ Riverpark Training;
  • Daniel Knox, Electrical Installations, from GP Electrical and Security Ltd./South West College;
  • Isaac Bingham, Cabinet Making, Monkeywood Luxury Kitchens and Furniture/ Southern Regional College;
  • Jason Scott, Robotic Systems Integration (team of two), AES Global/Northern Regional College;
  • Charlie Carson, Robotic Systems Integration (team of two), Ulster University/Northern Regional College.

The Minister continued: “I also pay tribute to the hard work and dedication of teaching staff in the colleges and private training providers. This success in what are highly competitive international competitions highlights the quality of the vocational skills teaching that is available to local learners, and shows the talent we have to grow the local economy.”

Ben Blackledge, Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK said: “Congratulations to the WorldSkills competitors from Northern Ireland who have once again demonstrated that they are amongst the very best in the world and will go on to inspire the next generation of technical professionals.

“We're proud to partner with the fantastic education and training sector in Northern Ireland to use our international insights to help develop world-class skills and ensure that more investors and employers know that young people in Northern Ireland have the high-level skills to succeed.”

The WorldSkills Lyon Competition 2024 saw more than 1,500 young people from 69 countries participate in 62 skills competitions. The event was watched by over 250,000 spectators.

For more information on WorldSkills, visit: https://www.worldskillsuk.org