Picture: Aizzah Kashif, Sacred Heart Drogheda, Co. Louth
A student from Drogheda has been named overall winner at the CareersPortal Career Skills Competition 2026, which saw more than 1,700 secondary school students from across Ireland explore over 200 different career paths.
Aizzah Kashif from Sacred Heart Drogheda received the overall award for her project on becoming an Aerospace Medicine Specialist following work experience completed through the Drogheda Hospital TY Programme.
A student from Dunleer was also honoured at the national awards. Aislinn Sauramba from Scoil Uí Mhuirí was highly commended in the TY Category for her work experience as a Youth Worker and her career investigation into primary school teaching.
Now in its 16th year, the CareersPortal Career Skills Competition encourages senior cycle students to reflect on the skills they develop during work experience placements while exploring possible future careers.
The top 35 students from 21 counties were honoured at an awards ceremony held at the Department of Education on May 6, where students, families, teachers and guidance counsellors gathered to celebrate their achievements.
This year’s competition recorded a 20 per cent increase in entries, highlighting the growing importance students place on career exploration and work experience as the world of work continues to evolve.
Students entered projects in English and Irish through written submissions and video presentations, researching career paths, education requirements and key workplace skills.
A number of emerging career trends also stood out this year.
Tourism and hospitality placements proved especially popular, accounting for more than 15 per cent of all work experience placements completed by students taking part.
Creative industries also featured strongly, with students exploring careers in acting, journalism, film production and radio broadcasting, including placements with organisations such as Beat Radio, Radio Rí Rá and the Anglo Celt.
Healthcare remained one of the most popular sectors overall, while organisers also noted growing interest in apprenticeship routes, particularly in construction trades including carpentry, plumbing and electrical work.
Students also explored careers in childcare and elder care, helping them gain valuable experience supporting both younger and older members of the community.
Some of this year’s more unique entries included projects exploring careers as genealogists, aerospace medicine specialists and social entrepreneurs.
The competition is organised by CareersPortal, Ireland’s largest career guidance platform, which receives more than 4.2 million visitors annually.
The initiative is supported by industry and education partners including Fáilte Ireland, the Construction Industry Federation, ESERO Ireland and COGG, which recognises Irish language entries. Their continued support plays a vital role in inspiring and guiding the next generation of professionals across diverse sectors.
Speaking at the event, Eimear Sinnott, MD of CareersPortal, highlighted how real-life skills will set students apart as world of work and AI evolve:
“Work experience is a vital part of career exploration, but it only delivers real value when it is accessible to all students, not just those with the social capital or personal connections to secure placements. Creating a level playing field requires strong engagement from Industry to openly offer opportunities and ensure equitable access. It was so refreshing to see students explore such a wide range of educational pathways. From Further Education and Training courses to apprenticeships and higher education options, they looked well beyond the traditional route, reminding us that the CAO is just one of many paths to a fulfilling career. Whatever the setting, the skills students developed are highly transferable. In an evolving world of work, particularly with the rise of AI, it is these human skills that will truly set them apart.”
Sarah Dolly, Head of Tourism Careers, Fáilte Ireland said: “Tourism offers many exciting and rewarding career options across a range of sectors, and is a profession that offers flexibility and lots of progression opportunities. Tourism allows for a career to suit your lifestyle and pursue your passions, while developing key skills and competencies such as teamwork, time management and effective communication skills. Fáilte Ireland is delighted to facilitate students to engage with tourism businesses across the county to secure quality work experience placements via our Work Experience portal on TourismCareers.ie. Congratulations to all students who submitted an entry in the Tourism Category for Career Skills 2026.”
Andrew Brownlee, CEO of CIF said: “CIF are delighted to have partnered with Careers Portal for this year’s award. The Careers Portal competition recognises excellence in a career investigation focussed on a career within the construction sector. The quality and wide variety of submissions we received across students who had undertaken work experience in architecture, engineering and construction, was excellent. The winning candidate made a very compelling report on his work experience and career investigation as a prospective electrical apprentice. We hope that by continuing to build awareness of the huge range of career pathways and roles available to young people that we can generate that spark of interest and encourage more of the next generation to come and build Ireland’s future infrastructure.”
Brendan Owens, Research Ireland and ESERO Ireland,commented: “ESERO Ireland is proud to support this award that spotlights a student who has brought to light the possibilities from a career in Space Science and Technology. This often includes busting stereotypes and uncovering the amazing opportunities that lie ahead for young people. This year’s winner of the Space Science and Technology Special Award highlights the interdisciplinary and wide-ranging nature of work in the space sector. Using experience gained during her work placement in a hospital, Aizzah refocused her learnings to conduct an investigation into a career in Aerospace Medicine, specifically Space Medicine and exploring the intersection of biology, physics, and human biochemistry for survival in extreme environments. Aizzah has shown how interdisciplinary, collaborative and promising a field space science is for students.”
Dúirt Conchubhair Mac Ghloinn, Oifigeach Oideachais Iar-bhunleibhéal ar an POLG: “Cuireann COGG fáilte mhór roimh an gComórtas Naisiúnta Scileanna Gairme 2026 le SaolOibre.ie agus táimid thar bheith bródúil as an méid iarratas a tháinig isteach trí mheán na Gaeilge i mbliana.Is ardán fíorthábhachtach é an comórtas chun scileanna praiticiúla agus feasacht ghairme a fhorbairt trí mheán na Gaeilge.Is léiriú é an comórtas ar an tábhacht a bhaineann le scileanna gairme a fhorbairt trí mheán na Gaeilge.Tugann sé deis do scoláirí a gcuid cumais a léiriú agus muinín a chothú ina roghanna gairme amach anseo.Léiríonn an comórtas seo tiomantas leanúnach chun todhchaí ghairmiúil na Gaeilge a neartú ar fud na tíre. Comhghairdeas leis na buaiteoirí ar fad ar an lá.”
