Matthew Set for Carpentry Competition at SkillBuild 2025

SERC apprentice Matthew Rutherford is on a mission to change perceptions of what kind of person does an apprenticeship, as he gets ready to take his place in the carpentry competition at the SkillBuild 2025 national finals on 19 - 20 November 2025 at Arena MK in Milton Keynes.

Matthew, (20), from Bangor completed a Level 2 Apprenticeship before progressing to the Level 3 Apprenticeship NI in Carpentry and Joinery at SERC’s Newtownards Campus and is employed by Synergy Construction Services (NI) LLP.

No stranger to success, Matthew has won Screwfix Apprentice of the Year 2024 title, lifted first place in the SkillBuild Intercampus Carpentry Competition at SERC, and came third place in carpentry in the SkillBuild NI Regional Finals earlier this year.

Before coming to SERC, Matthew completed his A-Levels at Bangor Grammar School. He said, I did physics, maths and chemistry and achieved an A, B and C.  I was very pleased with those results, and my parents were of the mindset that I really should go and get a degree, but I knew the university route was not for me.   It took a lot to convince them, but my dad who is very handy and who works in engineering, was more open to me finding a trade.”

Matthew added, “I think there is a stereotypical view of people working in trades that they aren’t smart which is a real dis-service.   For most trades, you must have at least your Maths and English at GCSE level and often more qualifications, because it is so competitive to get into.   In addition, regardless of what trade you are in, there is continual learning to stay on top in your industry.   Doing an apprenticeship shouldn’t be a last choice or even a ‘plan b’, I think if more young people knew about the apprenticeship route and what they can achieve, it would be in their mix of possible routes after GCSEs or A-Levels.”

Speaking ahead of the SkillBuild National Finals, Matthew said, “Getting through to the National Finals was an unexpected but pleasant surprise. I enjoy taking part in competitions and I find the pressure is a driving force for me to do my best.   I am looking forward to going to Milton Keynes - a new place, a new set of competitors, and a new challenge are all exciting.

“Besides my usual work as an apprentice, I have been practising in the lead up to the competition. On the day it will be a case of taking on the challenge one step at a time and relying on the skills and knowledge I have acquired to date.  I am looking forward to it, and it’s just great fun to be a part of something like SkillBuild.”