From graphic design to navigating cyber security, the skills on show at this year’s WorldSkills Ireland event were more diverse and eclectic than ever before.
Designed to raise standards in apprenticeship and technical education worldwide, WorldSkills has been inspiring young people to develop their skills and equip them for the world of work since 1950.
Last month, thousands of people descended on the RDS in Dublin for WorldSkills Ireland to hear from industry experts, attend panel discussions, take part in demonstrations and meet with potential employers.
Moreover, 170 hopeful students from all over Ireland went head-to-head in a range of skills-based trade competitions for a chance to represent Ireland at the WorldSkills international finals in Lyon, France at the end of September.
Technology company Symetri, an Autodesk partner, sponsored the Mechanical Engineering CAD, Digital Construction and Digital Infrastructure. Students were given six hours across three days to create two and three-dimensional images and animations of projects, with specialist software, including information such as dimensions, types of material and tolerances.
Other competitions covered such areas as automobile design, joinery, craft butchery, visual merchandising and tool-making.
Eighteen young people were selected to travel to France as part of Team Ireland to compete in WorldSkills Lyon. Over six days, 250,000 visitors from more than 90 countries visited the event in France, while 1,400 competitors threw their hats in the ring.
Learn more about Autodesk’s involvement at the 2024 Global World Skills final in Lyon, France.
Autodesk has partnered with WorldSkills for 18 years and is committed to supporting and nurturing tomorrow’s construction industry leaders.
This year’s Autodesk stands in Dublin and Lyon gave attendees the opportunity to learn more about the company, its products and how it’s helping shape the future of construction, production and design.
According to the Autodesk team, this year’s event was bursting with best bits and had an impressive line-up of speakers, demonstrations and competitors.
For Dorothee Schmid, responsible for Strategic Partnerships at Autodesk, meeting key ministerial stakeholders and discussing how Autodesk can play a pivotal part in the next generation of industry leaders was especially inspiring.
“One of the biggest outcomes was showcasing how Autodesk is excited to enable the next generation of leaders,” she says. “And sitting down with members from the Department of Education and Dublin universities to discuss how we are bringing new software into schools and helping students build their skills to prepare them from a global perspective.”
Faruk Kayın, Marketing Manager at Autodesk says meeting young people and getting the opportunity to showcase Autodesk’s scope and solutions was a particular highlight.
“We have great solutions and workflows, so it was great to explain that to the students,” he says. “They were so interested and some were trying to figure out what direction to take. So it was really nice to share our vision and discuss the opportunities in construction.”
According to Faruk, the Mechanical Engineering CAD competitions hosted by Symetri were both inspiring and informative.
“Symetri’s competition was for students who have been trained to use Autodesk software over three to four months. They were tasked with building a 3D printer,” he says. “I also spoke to Evan Coughlan and his journey from competitor to working alongside Symetri as a competition examiner.”
Education is a priority for Autodesk, helping to open new doors and bring fresh opportunities. According to Dorothee, listening to students and educators is key to addressing educational needs.
“There’s a big gap between students, educators and industry leaders,” says Dorothee. “WorldSkills is a unique opportunity for businesses large and small to gain valuable insights, network with key decision-makers, and contribute to shaping the future of skills development.
“It also gives us a chance to showcase everything we do across our three pillars: production, construction and design.”
Faruk agrees, adding that with Autodesk’s technology, anything is possible. “‘Make anything with Autodesk’ is our tagline,” he says. “WorldSkills is a great opportunity to demonstrate that.”
The world is in the middle of a skills shortage. Almost 90% of businesses globally say they are facing a skills shortage or expect to do so in the next five years.
According to the team, events like WorldSkills can help bridge the gap by highlighting current industry trends and needs.
“WorldSkills and its competitions reflect industry needs,” says Dorothee. “As a global leader in the software that Designs and Makes the world around us, Autodesk is deeply committed to preparing the next generation for careers across Design and Make industries.”
Faruk adds, “WorldSkills is a chance to show how Autodesk can help change and improve processes and workflows. Better workflows can make builds safer and smarter.”
Moreover, Autodesk is playing its part to help close the skills gap by offering students free access to products and software to help them bring their ideas to life and prepare for a career in the construction industry.
“It’s a global initiative,” explains Dorothee. “We’re offering Autodesk software free of charge so students can be trained to use new technologies before they enter the workforce.”
A platform to build meaningful connections
WorldSkills 2024 was an all-round success, but Dorothee says she'd like to see it grow even more.
"We were exceptionally pleased with this year's event," she says. "The commitment from Autodesk executives to expand this partnership from a corporate initiative fills me with pride and gratitude.
“Dara Treseder, Chief Marketing Officer, along with Mary Hopes McQuiston, Vice President Education, Mike Hailey, Senior Vice President Research, and Andrew Friendly, Vice President Government Affairs, took the time to attend the event, be inspired by it, and actively engage in the WorldSkills Conference 2024.
Collectively, they have emphasized that education is one of the most crucial elements that should be supported and promoted from all sides, especially since WorldSkills provides a unique opportunity at all levels to meet and exchange ideas with policymakers and industry leaders.”
Faruk adds WorldSkills is the ideal platform to reach the next generation of industry changemakers.
“We were able to share our knowledge and products with the younger generation,” he says. “They are the future of everything. So capturing that interest and showing them how we can change the future of work was the biggest takeaway for me.”
Explore more ways Autodesk is helping students succeed and shaping the future of the industry.
