Kilkenny technician competes on the world stage for Kia Ireland

While he may not have brought home silverware from this year’s Kia Skill World Cup in Seoul, Kia Ireland has praised the “exceptional level of technical skill and determination” shown by William McDonald at the biennial event in South Korea.

McDonald represented Ireland at the 12th Kia Skill World Cup this month, where top Kia certified technicians from participating countries gathered to compete in rigorous practical and written exams.

First hosted in 2002, the event aims to highlight outstanding technical experts from around the world and enhances the brand’s customer service capabilities.

McDonald, a Kia technician from David Buggy Motors in Co Kilkenny, earned his place on the world stage having first claimed victory in the Kia Ireland Skills Competition earlier this year.

He was accompanied to Seoul by Kia Ireland training manager David Behan, who said the achievement is “a true reflection of William’s dedication, technical ability and commitment to excellence within the Kia network”.

“Simply reaching the world stage requires an exceptional level of technical skill, determination, commitment, and dedication,” he told AutoTrade.ie. “To compete amongst the very best Kia technicians from across the globe is an accomplishment and an experience that very few ever get the opportunity to enjoy.”

“The knowledge gained, friendships formed and exposure to world-class technical standards will stand testament to William’s achievement for many years to come, and he represented both David Buggy Motors and Kia Ireland with tremendous professionalism throughout,” Behan added.

The 2026 competition was held over two demanding days. Day one consisted of an extensive theory examination covering all aspects of Kia vehicle technologies. On day two, competitors travelled to the Kia Training Academy in Osan, where the practical assessments took place under extremely tight time pressures.

These assessments included everything from component and parts testing to complex network fault diagnosis and advanced vehicle troubleshooting, all designed to test the competitors’ technical ability, diagnostic approach and composure under pressure.

Behan hopes that McDonald’s journey and experience will encourage even more Kia technicians to participate in the local Skills Cup competitions in the years ahead.

“Equally important, we hope it inspires more young adults to consider a career as an Automotive Technician, as William’s achievements clearly demonstrate the incredible opportunities, experiences and career pathways that are possible within the modern motor industry,” concluded Behan.

Kia Ireland, along with Keith Walsh from MKW Training, supported McDonald in his preparation for the contest.