Tipp ETB Trainee to compete at prestigious national trades event

Tipperary ETB alumnus Conor Grace (pictured inset) is among eight students and apprentices from the Premier County who will compete in Dublin next month at Worldskills Ireland 2023, the country’s largest experiential skills, apprenticeships and careers event.

The Toomevara man is among over 160 national finalists who will go head-to-head at the RDS from September 20-22, in a range of skills-based trades including automation, constructions skills and culinary arts. Competitors are in with a chance of winning the prestigious Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) Silver Medal, and get the opportunity to represent Ireland at Worldskills Lyon next year.

Worldskills Ireland 2023 is expected to welcome over 22,000 people including students, parents and teachers, and will be a live celebration of apprenticeships, skills and careers with interactive demonstrations, career zones and employers who are ready to recruit.

Conor is an electrician working with ESB Networks. He attended his Phase 2 training in the Tipperary ETB Further Education and Training (FET) Centre in Archerstown, Thurles, from October 2019 to March 2020. His instructor, Gavin O'Dwyer, commented: “Conor is an exceptional talent with an outstanding aptitude for all aspects of electrical craft. He has a very practical approach to problem solving combined with a positive attitude. Conor was a pleasure to instruct as part of his electrical apprenticeship in Tipperary ETB.”

The management and staff of Tipperary ETB wish him the best of luck in the competition. Supported by industry partners SISK, Construction Industry Federation (CIF), ESB Networks, Autodesk, Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus and education partners including the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS), the Higher Education Authority (HEA), SOLAS and NAO, Worldskills Ireland 2023 is designed to give students a chance to discover the key skills and sectors that drive the Irish economy. 

Joining the other national finalists from across the country are County Tipperary natives:

• Brett Adams, Clonmel, is competing in the Automobile Technology competition 
• Conor Bourke, Nenagh, is competing in the Carpentry competition 
• Luke Slattery, Clonmel, is competing in the Digital Construction BIM competition 
• Sophia Quinlan, Thurles, is competing in the Hairdressing competition 
• Conor Grace, Toomevara, is competing in the Industrial Control competition 
• Victor Martea, Cahir, is competing in the Industrial Mechanic competition 
• Owen Powell, Newport is competing in the Metal Fabrication competition 
• Kate Ryan, Cashel, is competing in the Restaurant Service competition 

Tipperary ETB is also inviting the public to visit them at their stalls in the FET (Further Education and Training) Village at the RDS over the three days. Tipperary ETB staff will be leading promotion of Health courses in collaboration with This is FET.

Lifeline Ambulance Service will attend the stall over the three days, and will have two paramedics, an advanced paramedic and two Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) present. They’ll also provide the opportunity for learners to access and view an ambulance, as well as resources and equipment for CPR, AED defibrillator machine for heart checks, blood pressure checks, phlebotomy training, and much more.

Tipperary ETB will also have its own stand, located at ET9, in the ETB area, where you’ll be able to find information about all courses available in the Premier County.

About Tipperary ETB 

Tipperary Education and Training Board (ETB) is the statutory provider of education for county Tipperary.
Tipperary ETB manages dedicated Further Education & Training (FET) centres across Tipperary, including the state-of-the-art training facility at Archerstown, Thurles, as well as the delivery of Youthreach, Lifelong Learning and a wide range of education services for people of almost any age. 

Adult Learning Service 

Under the Adult Learning Service, Tipperary ETB runs a long list of free, part-time courses across the north of the county, in locations including Roscrea, Nenagh, Borrisokane and Thurles.

Our Digital Literacy courses allow people of all ages to learn how to use a smartphone more effectively, as well as improving computer skills, spreadsheets and internet skills. Meanwhile, our General Learning courses focus on reading and writing skills, maths, creative writing, public speaking, driver theory preparation, and much more.

Are you interested in doing one of our free, part-time courses? Contact Nicola O’Carroll at 067 31845 or nocarroll@tipperaryetb.ie.

Community Education

Tipperary ETB also runs a variety of Community Education courses across the north of the county, focusing on wellbeing topics which may be of interest to you. Our courses include yoga, mindfulness, arts and crafts, genealogy, wood carving, personal development, textile art and embroidery.

Are you interested in learning more about one of these topics? Contact Tipperary ETB at 067 31845 to find a Tipperary ETB course near you.

ESOL – English for Speakers of Other Languages 

Tipperary ETB’s ESOL service provides English language classes throughout the county. Our classes include Basic Survival English, English for the Workplace and Exam English.

We focus on the four main language areas - reading, writing, listening and speaking. Learners are initially assessed and offered a course appropriate to their level.

If you or someone you know would like to avail of classes in the Roscrea area, please contact Fainche Egan on 085 8598266 / fegan@tipperaryetb.ie or search www.fetchcourses.ie

Tipperary ETB Courses in Roscrea and Nenagh

Click here or scan the QR code below for the full list of courses. 

*Sponsored Content