Developed to provide FE Construction students with similar extra-curricular opportunities to trainees and apprentices in trade areas, the competition challenged students to produce design specifications and sketches for a multi-purpose community centre. During the competition, students showcased their technical, problem solving and self-management skills through working in groups to complete the technical project, considering constraints such as maximum footprint, accessibility, budget and subsoil ground conditions.
Students then presented their completed project plans to a judging panel, which included Barry Neilson OBE (Chief Executive CITB NI), Steven Nickell (FMB NI Regional President) and Fionnuala McKenna (Head of Strategic Development Construction Futures).
SERC Construction Hub Manager Kieran McKenna says “I am delighted with the effort made by all students. The judges commented on how well the teams worked together in their groups, and the standard of presenting and communicating by the students was highly commended.”
First Place Group:
- Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment student Cerys Power (17) from Moira.
- Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment student Aimee Armstrong (19) from Lisburn.
- Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment student Rebecca Cash (19) from Saintfield.
- Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Civil Engineering student Jude Montgomery (18) from Crumlin.
Second Place Group:
- Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Civil Engineering student Max Elliott (17) from Banbridge.
- Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Civil Engineering student Christopher Jones (18) from Belfast.
- Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Civil Engineering student Rahad Daryakesh Zirak (17) from Belfast.
- Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Civil Engineering student Joe McKeown (19) from Lisburn.
Third Place Group:
- Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment student Eva Johnston (18) from Bangor.
- Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Civil Engineering student James Steele (18) from Donaghadee.
- Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Civil Engineering student Ella Hollinger (18) from Bangor.
- Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Civil Engineering student Joel Brown (17) from Lisburn.
Gavin McGuire (NI FMB Director) presented students with awards, with first place winning a £150 Amazon gift voucher, second place winning a £100 Amazon gift voucher, and third place winning a £50 Amazon gift voucher. Two other participating student groups were also commended for their presentations to the judges, which included:
Commended Group 1:
- Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Civil Engineering student Elliott Coffey (17) from Bangor.
- Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment student Anthony O’prey (17) from Kircubbin.
- Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment student Toby Fulton (17) from Millisle.
- Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment student Harry Kennedy (17) from Greyabbey.
Commended Group 2:
- Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment student Dean Johnston (20) from Belfast.
- Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment student Alfie Wilson (17) from Belfast.
- Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment student Adam Clifford (18) from Lisburn.
- Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment student Matthew Harrison (24) from Dromore.
Gavin McGuire then gave closing remarks, bringing the inaugural competition to a close.
