Developed to provide FE Construction students with similar extra-curricular opportunities to trainees and apprentices in trade areas, the competition challenges students to produce design specifications and sketches for a multi-purpose community centre. During the first phase of the competition, students showcased their technical, problem solving and self-management skills through working with others to complete the technical project.
Construction Hub Manager Kieran McKenna commented, “Competitions are a valuable tool to consolidate learning and develop transversal Skills. It was great to see so much enthusiasm and I’m really looking forward to seeing the student solutions. We are really grateful to lecturers Paul Crawford and Adam Savage for their support on the day”.
Teams will present their community centre plans to a panel on the 29 April. The panel will include:
- Barry Neilson OBE (Chief Executive CITBNI): Barry progressed from technical to managerial roles within the construction industry, and has brought his extensive experience to work with the NI Skills Council, the Strategic Advisory Forum for Apprenticeships & Youth Training, as well as the industry-led Green Skills Delivery Group
- Steven Nickell (FMB NI Regional President); A fourth-generation builder, Steven has deep-rooted ties to the construction industry in Belfast and the surrounding areas. He is proud to have played a role in the delivery of over 3,000 homes, contributing to the region’s built environment and housing growth
- Fionnuala McKenna (Head of Strategic Development Construction Futures): A qualified civil engineer and former Design Manager and secondary school teacher, Fionnuala brings experience across on-site delivery and pre-construction, with a focus on driving strategic change and supporting a more inclusive construction industry
Apply now for courses commencing September 2026. Real Learning for Real Life #BetterOffAtSERC.
