Passionate about engineering, Caolan graduated in psychology at Queen’s University in Belfast but realising that many of his skills could be applied to a more hands-on technical career, he went onto study a Higher-Level apprenticeship in Technical Design and Manufacture at Southern Regional College.
“Choosing an apprenticeship was an easy decision for me, and it’s turned out to be one of the best I’ve ever made,” says Caolan.
“From day one I was working on real projects, earning while I learned and gaining qualifications that are directly relevant to my career. I’ve enjoyed it so much that I’ve encouraged my younger brothers to follow the same path.”
Although Caolan admits he wasn’t naturally competitive before entering the WorldSkills UK Competitions, the experience has transformed his mindset, inspiring him to strive for excellence in everything he does. Training for competition has taught him to approach every task with greater precision, discipline and attention to detail, while developing the resilience to perform under pressure and continually refine his skills. He has brought these techniques into his apprenticeship, giving him the drive to constantly look for ways to work more effectively. Winning Gold alongside his teammate Patrick at the National Finals in Manchester was a defining moment. Describing the achievement as “just brilliant”, that success earned him a place in the intensive training programme for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, where he is now preparing to represent the UK on the global stage.
Caolan and Patrick’s training for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 involves regularly travelling between Northern Ireland and England for training with their Training Managers Marcin and Omid. Last year, as part of their intense training programme Caolan and Patrick represented the UK in Industry 4.0 where they won the Bronze medal, recognising them as amongst the most talented young engineers in Europe.
When asked if he had any advice for people starting out in their apprenticeship, Caolan didn’t hesitate, he said: “Get involved in WorldSkills UK Competitions. It’s a wonderful opportunity to challenge yourself, build confidence, and show your employers just what you are capable of.”
