In a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Conor McDonnell (22) from Armagh and Johnny Gough (22) from Waringstown are vying for the chance to represent the UK at WorldSkills Shanghai.
WorldSkills has been dubbed the ‘Skills Olympics’ with competitors from across the world, due to compete in the biennial competition this September. Running from 22nd September to 27th September 2026 in Shanghai, China, the international competition brings together the world’s most talented young professionals competing at the highest level in their chosen trades. This year’s competition marks the 48th edition of the world series.
Conor and Johnny are recent past Southern Regional College (SRC) students, having undertaken the Electrical Installation apprenticeship at the Armagh and Portadown campuses. Their journey to the international stage began through the UK national competition series, where both achieved bronze medals, Conor in 2023 and Johnny in 2024.
The duo were selected for Squad UK in March 2025, training with UK Electrical Installation Training Manager Mitchell Smith with hopes of making it to the Shanghai international competition. The past twelve months have seen non-stop training, with weekly online sessions and monthly in-person training sessions. WorldSkills is not simply about technical ability, it also involves commitment, drive, mindset and problem-solving abilities.
The pair have just completed their last selection event, an in-person competition simulation event, overseen by Mitchel Smith (Team UK Training Manager) and Tom Williamson (Team UK Assistant Training Manager) and Aaron McDonald (guest judge from Electrical Training Trust), at the CITB NI headquarters in Crumlin.
In the forthcoming weeks, it is anticipated one will be named as the UK representative for Electrical Installation. What makes this competition event unique is that there are only two members of Team UK in contention for selection for Shanghai. Out of the whole of the UK, both of those team members come from Northern Ireland and originate from Southern Regional College.
Conor and Johnny have faced months of training to get to this point, committed numerous hours of training for this chance to go to Shanghai. This is very much a once in a lifetime chance, as WorldSkills imposes an age cap on competitors. This ensures future upcoming apprentices and students get their chance to star on the world stage. There is no option to go back and try again.
The Electrical Installation category at Shanghai is expected to have a total of 36 competitors. This is expected to include Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Holland, China, Korea, USA, Canada and Brazil. The UK team are aiming high, hoping for a top 10 finish at this competition. At last year’s European EuroSkills Herning competition, the UK finished just outside the top 10 with Johnny Gough representing Team UK.
Presently there are 8 current or recent past SRC students involved within Squad UK in various competition categories aiming for WorldSkills Shanghai. WorldSkills UK are due to reveal squad members making up Team UK travelling to WorldSkills Shanghai in the coming weeks. After this comes another 5 months of intense training until September.
Lindsay Bronte, Development Manager at Southern Regional College commented:
“Both Johnny and Conor have had a tremendous journey, undergoing a year long training and selection process, with the hopes of making it to Shanghai, China representing their families, College and country on the world stage”
“While only one can go forward and compete, they both have undergone significant growth developing in skills and confidence. Whatever the result, their journey will continue beyond this final selection event as they have gained recognition in the electrical industry for their professionalism and ability. We are proud that their journey began at Southern Regional College and hope their achievements encourage other apprentices to aim just as high.”
