The National Skills Competition was held last week, with the winners annouced at a ceremony at the Gresham Hotel in Dublin. The awards are organised and coordinated by IrelandSkills on behalf of the Department of the Education and Skills.

National Skills winners go on to represent Ireland at the biannual World Skills competition.

The 43rd WorldSkills competition was held in Sao Paulo, Brazil from 12th-15th August 2015. Team Ireland won 2 gold medals and 8 medallions for excellence and the team finished in 11th position out of 59 countries.

In 2017, the 44th WorldSkills competition will be held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and competitors will be selected from the 2016 and 2017 National Skills competition.

Our picture shows Ray English, IrelandSkills, National Coordination Group presenting the Silver Medal Award 2014/2015 to Shane Rogers from Naul Co Dublin for his skill in Carpentry. (Picture Conor McCabe Photography)