ATU’s Sean McLoughlin secures Medallion of Excellence at 47th WorldSkills competition in Lyon

Held from 10 to 15 September 2024, the event drew over 250,000 attendees and saw 1,400 competitors from 70 countries compete in a global showcase of elite vocational skills.  
Sean's impressive performance, scoring 744 points, earned him the Best of the Nation accolade as the top Irish competitor and demonstrated his outstanding technical expertise, perseverance, and dedication. This achievement follows his earlier success at the China International Skills Competition in June, where he won a Bronze Medal for Electrical Installation, further solidifying his position as one of Ireland's most talented apprentices. 
Joining Sean at WorldSkills was fellow ATU apprentice Joe Kelly, who competed in Joinery and delivered an impressive performance with a score of 693, just seven points shy of a Medallion of Excellence. Keith Roberts, also representing ATU in Cabinet Making, achieved the same score of 693 points, highlighting ATU’s strength across multiple disciplines. 
WorldSkills 2024 marked a week of intense competition, where competitors had just four days to complete their exercises within strict guidelines and time constraints.  
Padraig McGarry, Head of the Department of Engineering Technology, ATU, Sligo Campus, says it was fantastic to see ATU students compete and represent their country at the highest level in Lyon;  
“What an amazing achievement for Sean McLoughlin to take home a medallion of excellence in Electrical installations. He really made us all proud. I also want to congratulate Joe Kelly and Keith Roberts for their outstanding displays. No doubt these three students have very prosperous careers ahead of them.” 

Ivana Hanjs   
Communications Officer    
Ollscoil Teicneolaíochta an Atlantaigh (OTA), Éire   
Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Ireland   
Tel: +353 89 963 9559    
E: ivana.hanjs@atu.ie