WIT News
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Waterford representatives recognised for achievements at WorldSkills in Canada Posted: Mon, February 15, 2010 |
Waterford Institute of Technology apprentices who represented Ireland at the WorldSkills competition in Calgary, Canada have been recognised at a reception in the Institute.
The 11-strong Irish team were among over 900 competitors from 45 countries and included two Waterford apprentices – Colm Corcoran, David Gough.
Colm Corcoran emerged as the gold medal winner in automotive technology with overall final scores of 94 per cent - a new record in the competition – including 100 per cent on the diesel and body electrics modules. He also won gold for the best of nation award and finished third overall in the competition, firmly underlining his status as a world-class motor technician.
Colm commented: “It was a hectic few days but my experience in previous national skills and EuroSkills competitions stood to me. The experience of winning the gold medal was tremendous and the excitement and fuss surrounding the event was unbelievable.” Colm trained for 12 weeks ahead of the event in Calgary at Waterford Institute of Technology under the guidance of Henry Acheson, an international examiner for WorldSkills and the EuroSkills chief expert for automobile technology.
Colm plans to do a Masters in Engineering having previously served his time with Al Hayes Motors, the main Volkswagen Dealer in Portumna, Co Galway. The Irish motor industry played their part in Colm’s success, by making equipment available for training. Those who got involved included Ford Ireland; VW Group Ireland; Mazda Ireland; Toyota Ireland; Sheridan Motor Group; George Corbett Motors; John Kelly Motors and Advanced Garage Equipment & Supplies Ltd.
David Gough from Curracloe, Co Wexford followed the success of many previous WIT students in winning the national skills competition in electrical installations and won a medallion of excellence for Ireland at WorldSkills.
A former student of the Christian Brothers School in Wexford, David completed an electrical apprenticeship with Safeco Electric where he was recognised as someone who could be given sole responsibility for planning, installation and commissioning for works undertaken by the company. Given his youth, he has again been entered in this year’s national skills competition.
Another Waterford apprentice, Shane Taheny was the winner of the 2009 national skills competition in bricklaying, the only competitor to win at the first attempt in 15 years. His success was all the more remarkable as Shane had only just completed phase four of his apprenticeship and is currently completing his phase six module. Shane is from Waterford and has served his apprenticeship under the guidance of his father Michael, firstly with McInerney and – subsequently - John Sisk, for whom he worked on the new WIT sports facilities at the West Campus in Carriganore.
Waterford Institute of Technology offers a range of apprenticeship courses in automotive technology; building construction; electrical engineering; electronic security and building services with pathways open to allow those who successfully complete their apprenticeships to continue their studies at third level.
