Martin – one of the shining lights of a new generation

Performing your job in front of 34,000 people is the stuff of nightmares for most young adults. For apprentice technician Ciaran Martin, it’s the fulfilment of a childhood dream.

The Co. Monaghan native goes head-to-head against his peers as he competes at Worldskills 2024. More than 170 finalists will compete in live National finals with the winners getting the chance to represent Ireland in the WorldSkills Olympics in Shanghai 2026. “Competing in front of so many people adds pressure but I have been training for this day for the last four years and I can’t wait to show the judges what I can do,” says Martin.

As a finalist in the World Skills Automobile Technology Competition, the 22-year-old will get the chance to showcase his talents, diagnosing mechanical problems and solving complex problems against the clock. At a time of unprecedented change in the automotive industry, Martin is one of the shining lights of a new generation of technicians that will ensure the wheels keep turning in the digital age of e-mobility.