Gyproc training Guru chosen for Worldskills 2015 role
Gyproc’s Technical Academy Manager, Mike Monaghan, an expert in all aspects of drywall training, was selected as one of the team of specialist ‘Technical Observers’ to oversee the WorldSkills 2015 competition, which took place in Sao Paulo, Brazil, from 11-16thAugust.
The biggest vocational education and skills excellence event in the world, WorldSkills brings together young people from up to 59 different countries, in a biennial competition designed to promote skills and build careers, as well as promoting international cooperation and research.
The 2015 competition saw 1200 participants vying for top honours in different building skills, including ‘Plastering and Drywall systems’ and ‘Bricklaying’, as well as a diverse range of other categories, from ‘Creative Arts and Fashion’, to ‘Manufacturing and Engineering Technology’.
Mike, who has headed up Gyproc’s installer training programmes since 2012, was particularly focused on the Plastering and Drylining competition, where competitors had to battle it out over 4 days to demonstrate their skills in all aspects of their trade, from framing and boarding through to plastering, jointing and moulding; gaining marks in areas such as speed, interpretation of drawings, accuracy of measurements, safe working and the finished quality of the work.
He was one of 20 industry experts responsible for ensuring that the competition was managed and operated correctly. As part of his role, he was also responsible for assessing the Pros and Cons of the competition and providing suggestions to improve the next competition, which will be held in Abu Dhabi in 2017.
Mike’s appointment to the team at WorldSkills follows the company’s performance at the Emirates Skills competition in April, when Gyproc was voted Best ‘Have-a-Go’ sponsor, for its very popular programme of live plastering and drywall demonstrations and hands-on experiences – led by Gyproc Site Systems Demonstrator, Gary Condon, himself a former WorldSkills Gold Medalist.
Mike’s next major external competition appointment will be as Chief Expert at Emirates Skills 2016, before returning to WorldSkills again in 2017, where he aims to stand as Workshop Manager for the competition, with overall responsibility for workspace design and materials logistics.
