When Joe first walked through the doors of Riverpark Training, he already had his sights set on competition success. Determined to test himself against the best, he wanted to get involved in WorldSkills UK competitions from the outset.
For Riverpark Training, Joe’s ambition reflects the organisation’s long-standing commitment to WorldSkills UK and its belief that competition is a powerful way to raise standards, develop talent and ensure training keeps pace with the current and future needs of employers across Northern Ireland’s automotive industry.
“When I first got involved in WorldSkills UK, I just thought it would be a cool thing to do and a good experience. I never really thought I’d get this far. To actually be here now, about to travel to Shanghai, representing the UK, is pretty surreal. It’s crazy to think how far it’s all come, and I’m really proud to be here”.
Joe had always had an interest in cars, and when he left school, he secured an apprenticeship with SDM Paintwork in his hometown of Ballymena. Joe admits that, at first, he didn’t really enjoy his apprenticeship. But competitions changed the way he approached his training. They gave him something to strive for, pushing him to focus on the skills he needed to master and challenging him to constantly improve.
As Joe began to see the results of his hard work, he realised he had a real talent for what he was doing. The pursuit of excellence gave him a new sense of purpose and pride in his training, motivating him to keep raising his own standards and see what he was capable of achieving.
His employer, SDM Paintwork, has also recognised the transformative role competitions can play within an apprenticeship and has been hugely supportive of Joe throughout his competition journey. That commitment is all the more significant given the size of the business, with Joe being just one of two employees, demonstrating the value SDM Paintwork places on investing in Joe’s development and giving him every opportunity to excel.
When asked what he is most looking forward to at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, Joe says: “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go up against the best young people in the world and find out where I really stand. I’ve worked so hard to get here, so I can’t wait to test myself against the very best and see what I’m capable of.”
