I want to congratulate the Galway winners at the World Skills championships in Kazan, Russia, last week.
Jack O’Donnell from Lettermore received a Medallion for Excellence in Plumbing and Heating and Ruairi Grealish of Galway City won a Medallion for Excellence in Restaurant Service.
They were among 17 young Irish apprentices, trainees and students taking part in the event, which is recognised as the Skills Olympics.
In all, 1,600 competitors from 63 countries took part in 56 skills categories.
The event highlighted the importance of apprenticeships and skills training.
I firmly believe that school leavers should consider learning a skill or trade because it is something that will stand to them for the rest of their lives.