Automotive Skills on Show at WorldSkills Ireland 2026

Automobile & Heavy Vehicle Technology finalists from across Ireland will put their skills to the test when WorldSkills Ireland returns to RDS Simmonscourt, Dublin, from 16th to 18th September.

More than 160 apprentices will compete across 31 live National Skills competitions, including 17 finalists across the Automobile & Heavy Vehicle Technology.

Working under competition conditions, competitors will complete industry-standard tasks designed to test their practical skills, knowledge and technical expertise, reflecting the standards required across Ireland’s workforce.

More than 30,000 visitors and over 300 schools are expected to attend WorldSkills Ireland 2026, bringing together students, parents, teachers and guidance counsellors for three days of live competitions, hands-on experiences and opportunities to explore education, training and career pathways.

Alongside the competitions, visitors can take part in interactive ‘Try a Skill’ experiences, see industry demonstrations, hear from employers and industry figures, and explore apprenticeships, Further Education and Training and other skills-based career routes. The event will also showcase emerging technologies, including AI, virtual reality education, sustainable technologies and innovation across industry.

A unique partnership between Government, Education and Industry, WorldSkills Ireland plays an important role in showcasing the breadth of opportunities available through apprenticeships and skills-based careers. Alongside Automobile & Heavy Vehicle Technology, the event will highlight pathways across sectors including Construction, Creative Arts, Hospitality & Tourism, Information and Communication Technology, and Manufacturing & Engineering.

The event aims to give young people a clearer picture of the options available after secondary school, challenge outdated perceptions around apprenticeships and technical careers, and highlight the vital role skilled people play in Ireland’s economy.

Commenting ahead of WorldSkills Ireland 2026, Ray English, Chair of WorldSkills Ireland, said: “Skills and apprenticeships are fundamental to Ireland’s future. They support our economy, strengthen industries and create real opportunities for people across the country. WorldSkills Ireland brings that message to life by showing young people the value of practical learning and the rewarding careers it can lead to.

“The event also has an important role to play in changing perceptions. Apprenticeships and technical careers are ambitious pathways that require real ability and can lead to long-term success. By seeing competitors perform at a national level, students can better understand the standards involved and the opportunities open to them.”

WorldSkills Ireland will once again run alongside The Irish Times Higher Options, allowing visiting students to explore university, apprenticeships, Further Education and Training, tertiary programmes and skills-based careers during a single visit to the RDS.

WorldSkills Ireland is backed by industry partners Sisk, the Construction Industry Federation, ESB Networks, Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus; sector sponsors Symetri, Fáilte Ireland and SIMI (Society of the Irish Motoring Industry); feature sponsors MTU, Chadwicks, Irish Rail, Cairn and Kerry College; and 28 additional competition sponsors. The event is also supported by education partner the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, alongside the Government of Ireland and SOLAS.

SIMI is the overall sponsor of the Automobile & Heavy Vehicle Technology category. Competition sponsors include Volkswagen Group Ireland for Automobile Technology, and Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann for Heavy Vehicle Technology.

Commenting ahead of the event, Sabrina Hynes, SIMI Careers and Data Manager at SIMI, adds: “WorldSkills Ireland is an important platform for showcasing the talent and expertise needed across Ireland’s motor industry. As the sector continues to evolve through new technologies and increasingly advanced vehicles, developing the next generation of skilled professionals is more important than ever. SIMI is proud to support the Automobile & Heavy Vehicle Technology category and to help showcase the exciting career and apprenticeship opportunities available across our industry.”

WorldSkills Ireland 2026 takes place from Wednesday 16th September to Friday 18th September at RDS Simmonscourt, Dublin. The event is free to attend.

For further information and to register, visit www.worldskillsireland.ie.