My Apprenticeship Journey to WorldSkills Ireland
When I was in Transition Year, I watched an episode of Nationwide featuring female apprentices. That programme sparked something in me and opened my eyes to a career path I hadn’t considered before.
Determined to learn more, I contacted Virginia Bohan, an Authorised Officer with KCETB. With her guidance, I gathered contacts and visited workshops that interested me most. From that moment, I knew I wanted a career that was hands-on, practical and rewarding. 
After completing my Leaving Certificate, I researched my options and decided that an apprenticeship was the right path for me. Precision Engineering stood out, and I was particularly drawn to Craft Toolmaking. While there wasn’t an immediate apprenticeship opportunity available in the workshop I hoped to join, I didn’t give up.
Instead, I completed an Engineering Technology PLC course, which led to a 12-week work placement in a toolmaking workshop. I loved every minute of it. The company and its employees were incredibly supportive, encouraging me to learn and develop my skills. Halfway through my placement, they were so impressed with my enthusiasm and willingness to learn that they offered me an apprenticeship. After completing my PLC course, I officially began my Craft Toolmaking apprenticeship with Carlow Toolmaking Services (CTS). The training, support and opportunities I have received from CTS have been exceptional. Every day brings new challenges, new skills and new opportunities to grow.
Along the way, I’ve met some truly inspiring people and have been proud to represent apprenticeships, particularly for women in engineering. I had the opportunity to speak on Beat FM about female apprenticeships and later became a guest speaker at the Apprenticeship Expo in Lyrath in 2024, where I met Patricia Nolan, another female toolmaker who shared a similar passion for the trade.
My apprenticeship journey has taken me across Ireland. I completed:
✅ Phase 2 in Shannon (6 months)
✅ Phase 4 in Sligo (3 months)
✅ Phase 6 in Sligo (3 months)
Through hard work and dedication, I achieved credits in every phase. During my time in ATU Sligo, I also had the privilege of meeting Una Parsons, former Head of Faculty of Engineering and Design, who is herself a former toolmaker from Carlow. Seeing successful women who have walked a similar path has been incredibly motivating. One of my proudest achievements came during Phase 6, when I was awarded Apprentice of the Term and was elected Class Representative for Toolmaking.
Today, I am in Phase 7 of my apprenticeship and preparing for one of the biggest opportunities of my career so far—competing in WorldSkills Ireland. I’m also honoured to serve as a WorldSkills ambassador and have been nominated for the Apprentice of the Year Award 2026. Looking back, choosing an apprenticeship was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Not only do you gain valuable skills and experience, but you also earn while you learn and build a career doing something you genuinely enjoy. If I could give one piece of advice, it would be this: believe in yourself, explore every opportunity, and never be afraid to pursue a career in engineering. You never know where it might take you.
Founded in 1950, WorldSkills is a global organization that promotes vocational, technological, and service oriented education and training. It promotes skilled careers in 85-member countries on all continents, all working with youth, educators, governments, and industry to help prepare the workforce and talent of today for the jobs of the future. WorldSkills gives youth the chance to compete, experience, and learn how to become the best in their skill of choice. From the traditional trades to multi-skilled technology careers, social, ICT and service sectors, supported by partners, industries, governments, volunteers, and education and training institutions, WorldSkills is making a direct impact on raising the level of skills throughout the world.