The team from South Eastern Regional College (SERC) is gearing up for the 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.
Francis Rice, Principal Lecturer, School of Built Environment said, “We are delighted to be taking part in the annual CITB NI Regional Competition and hope to build on the success we enjoyed last year when we hosted the competition at SERC’s Downpatrick Campus.
“We have a strong team of 17 participants – apprentices and trainees - from across SERC who will be competing in eight disciplines.”
Francis added, “Competition test pieces are designed to challenge the ability of the competitors to follow detailed instructions, produce accurate and neat work outputs, be economical with materials while working to strict timescales – all essential requirements needed for today’s construction industry. It is a balancing act, and the pressure will be on each student to evidence what they know and what they can do and deliver on the day.”
SERC apprentices and trainees will be competing in eight of the eleven trade areas being tested on the day:
Cabinet Making - David Magee (Hillsborough) employed by GR Contracts Dromara; Taylor Simpson (Lisburn) employed by Timbermark Lisburn - both Level 3 Apprenticeship NI in Carpentry & Joinery.
Plastering - David Johnston (Saintfield) employed by Andrew Gill – Level 3 Apprenticeship NI in Plastering.
Bricklaying - Fergal Gilmore (Portaferry) employed by JP Construction - Level 2 Apprenticeship NI in Bricklaying.
Joinery – Aaron Emerson (Craigavon) employed by Hics Properties Ltd Irvinestown – Level 3 Diploma in Carpentry & Joinery.
Carpentry - Matthew Rutherford (Bangor) employed by Gareth McCartney; Shea Murphy (Castlewellan) employed by Niall Murphy - Level 2 Apprenticeship in Carpentry and Joinery; and Odhran Barlow (Loughinisland) employed by Magorrian Construction – Level 3 Apprenticeship NI in Carpentry & Joinery.
Electrical – Josh Sanderson (Newcastle) employed by Irwins M&E - Level 3 Apprenticeship NI in Electrical.
Plumbing - Alfie Carey (Lisburn) employed by JF Mechanical; and Matthew Dalzell (Magheralin) employed by Lindsay Mechanical LTD - Level 2 NI Traineeship in Plumbing.
Fire & Security Installation – 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 - all completing Level 3 Apprenticeship NI Fire & Security.
Francis concluded, “SkillBuild is an exciting day, for the competitors, the lecturing teams, the mentors and for the employers in the different trade areas. We wish all competitors a successful and enjoyable day in this prestigious competition.”
The CITB SkillBuild NI Regional Competition will commence at 9am on 19 May. Following the judging, winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Southern Regional College.
Good luck everyone!
