Apprentice numbers down 86% as 53rd annual National Skills Competition begins

The 53rd annual National Skills Competition launches today as apprentices from all over Ireland converge on Dublin to compete to be the national champion in their chosen trade. Sponsored by Snickers Workwear for the 5th year in a row, the competition is being run by Dublin Institute of Technology and aims to test every aspect of the skill and workmanship of the apprentices over an intense period of two and a half days.

Since 1950s the National Skills Competition has heralded the start of the new educational year for young apprentices. However, this year’s backdrop is one that has never been bleaker for young people wanting to learn a trade; with few firms taking on apprentices their numbers have been decimated by the recession.

During the height of the boom there were 8,779 apprentices studying for a trade in Ireland; in 2010 there will be only 1,237 - a decrease of 86%. This has had huge ramifications for young people who are struggling to find work, but also adversely affects Ireland’s ability to pull itself out of recession, because any upturn could be hampered by the lack of young trades’ people.

'Ireland used to export its tradesmen to work all over the world and we have a great reputation abroad for the high level of our workmanship,' said David Macken, Managing Director of Snickers Workwear (Ireland) Limited. He added: 'however, the numbers of school leavers undertaking apprenticeships has suffered hugely during the recession, with young workers taking the brunt of cutbacks by employers. It is, therefore, vital that we have competitions such as the National Skills Competition, which supports apprenticeships during these troubled times and helps promote the small businesses that are the lifeblood of our trades.'

Snickers Workwear will provide all the clothing for the competitors, who will be kitted out from head to toe in gear from Europe’s largest Workwear manufacturer.

Donal Keys, Chairman of the DIT National Skills Organising Committee said: 'National Skills 2010 will test apprentices from all over Ireland. We have everyone from cabinetmakers from Letterfrack to aircraft engineers for Ryanair in Dublin; the variety and depth of skills is huge. This week they will receive two and half days of intensive testing, which will ensure only the best competitors can win the title of national champion in their trade and go on to represent Ireland.'

The National Skills Competition 2010 consists of two and a half days of intense competition that commences today Tuesday (21st), and continues Wednesday (22nd) and Thursday morning (23rd). Judging is undertaken on Thursday afternoon, followed by an awards ceremony on Friday 24th in the Round Room in The Mansion House.

Twelve different trades are being covered, which are: Aircraft Maintenance; Automobile Technology; Autobody Repair; Bricklaying; Cabinet Making; Car Painting; Cookery; Heavy Vehicle Mechanics; Painting & Decorating; Plumbing; Polymechanics; and Sheetmetal Work.

Most of the competition will take place at the Dublin Institute of Technology and there will also be a section running at Dublin Airport, where participants will work on aircraft engines.

Every two years the best Irish apprentices compete in World Skills, which has been dubbed the Olympics for tradesmen. World Skills 2010 will take place in London. 'Irish apprentices have proven that they have some of the highest levels of workmanship in world,' added Donal Keys, 'we have an enviable record at World Skills where we’ve won the gold medal in 3 out of the last 4 years for car mechanics and also won gold last year for aircraft mechanics. That’s an incredible achievement for such a small country as Ireland.'

For World Skills 2011 please see: http://www.worldskillslondon2011.com/.