It has been an exciting year for the Fire & Security Apprentices. Besides the apprenticeship offer expanding to our Newtownards Campus, with state of the art facilities, a team of Fire and Security Engineering Apprentices from Lisburn and Newtownards Campuses won the annual SERC PBLX (Project based learning expo), facing a ‘dragons den style’ judging panel to see off the competition from across SERC.
So the six participants, all Level 3 Apprenticeship NI in Fire & Security Systems, preparing for the SkillBuild NI Regional Competition are more than ready. Taking part are:
Daniel Bell (Newtownards) employed by Specialised Fire & Security;
Cameron Jones (Newtownards) employed by Diamond Fire & Security;
Owen Brady (Lisburn) employed by Elmwood Protection Services;
Ryan Tang (Bangor) employed by BPS; Milo Turkington (Lurgan) employed by Northtech; and Samuel Gilmore (Comber) employed by Specialised Fire & Security.
Speaking about the competition, Milo Turkington (main picture above), from Lurgan, who is completing his apprenticeship at SERC’s Lisburn campus said, “I really enjoy the competitions as I am quite competitive by nature. I was delighted to have been placed second in the SERC Intercampus competition so another podium place would be great, but I know it will be close. My plan on the day is just to do my best and watch my time.”
The Fire & Security Systems apprentices will be joining with 10 other SERC trainees and apprentices from 7 disciplines to represent SERC annual CITB SkillBuild NI Regional Competition, which will be hosted on 19 May at Southern Regional College, Greenbank Campus, Newry.
SkillBuild is delivered by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB GB) and showcases some of the brightest talent in construction. Supported by Department for the Economy and local construction companies, the competition provides an opportunity to showcase the high level of skills and the impressive talent within the workforce, as well as raising the status and standards of professional and technical education and training.
Apply now for full-time courses commencing September 2026.
