Gary Doyle, 20, a medal-winning apprentice with Kieran Trainor Plumbing in County Down, has called for all candidates standing for election to the Northern Ireland Assembly to show their support for apprenticeships by signing the WorldSkills UK Pledge.
By signing the Pledge, signatories will show they are committed to promoting apprenticeships to young people from all backgrounds, equipping them with the right skills to help the Northern Irish economy remain competitive now and in the future.
Representing Northern Ireland at WorldSkills São Paulo 2015, the world’s largest international biennial skills competition, Gary was awarded the Gold Medal in Plumbing.
Gary Doyle said: “My apprenticeship opened so many doors for me. Not only can I say I am the best plumbing apprentice in Northern Ireland but I am the best in the world. I want all young people to have the same chances that I had, that’s why I am asking all candidates to sign the Pledge.”
Dr Neil Bentley, Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK said: “We have seen just how talented apprentices like Gary are as a result of their success in our competitions. However I strongly believe that more needs to be done to show young people, whatever their background, the training and career opportunities that an apprenticeship can offer them. We will work with those who sign the Pledge to champion world-class apprenticeships for young people in Northern Ireland.”
If you would like to send a powerful message that skills and young people’s opportunities matter, please tweet your support to @worldskillsuk #skillswork
