Congratulations to all of the Irish competitors who took part in EuroSkills 2008. The experience of competing for your country on an international stage is one that never leaves you. It has a huge impact on you as a person; it changes the way you go about your work for the rest of your life. The group who travelled to Holland make history, going down as the Irish team that contested the first ever EuroSkills event. Many members of this team will go on to compete again at the 40th WorldSkills competition, to be held in Calgary, Canada in the autumn of 2009. Their experience in the Netherlands will stand them in great stead for a second crack, this time against young apprentices from every corner of the globe.
The Irish team returned from Rotterdam with a fair share of medals: Light Vehicles Technician: Gold medal - Colm Corcoran Plastering: Silver - Denis Lucey Joinery: Silver - Jason Finn Farrier (team): Silver - Paul O'Reilly and Ruairi Brennan Farrier: Bronze - Paul O'Reilly Plumbing: Bronze - Stephen Brady
I have a few bits and pieces left to put up regarding last week's trip to Holland, before they slip from memory altogether. The EuroSkills competition held in Rotterdam on the 18th,19th and 20th September was the reason I went over. I know this is not exactly up-to-the-minute, but it's been a busy week. Remember, stay tuned to the Officeless Blogcast for more of my on-the-button reports.
If you are visiting Amsterdam, take a trip down the line to see the Netherlands' second city. Only an hour away by train, it is a journey that will set you back the grand sum of €13.70. On arrival at Rotterdam Centraal, "get on yer bike". Take a right out of the station towards the Groothandelsgebouw, the massive office block right in front of you. Round the corner are two half-open giant black gates and a road climbing steeply into the bowels of the building. Go up; there's a bike rental office on the first level, €8 for the day with a €50 deposit. Unlike a lot of other places, they stay open til midnight for the bike's return. It's worth taking one out from there for the death-defying hurtle back to street level alone.
The EuroSkills competition was held at Ahoy, a large venue on the south side of the city. It took about 30mins to get out to the site on my newly-acquired bike from Centraal station. Getting to cross the mighty Erasmusbrug was the best of all. Out in the middle you can feel the bridge rumble and wobble as cars, lorries and buses pound alongside.
I am a freelance graphic designer based in Dublin, Ireland and this is my ongoing, online notebook. For occasional updates and insights... do check back.
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