SERC Apprentices Set for Skillbuild and Worldskills Finals

SERC will be cheering on five apprentices competing in the UK finals of major skills competitions this month.

Matthew Rutherford (19), from Bangor, a Level 3 Carpentry apprentice at the college’s Newtownards Campus, employed by Synergy Construction Services (NI) LLP, and David Johnston (20), from Saintfield, a Level 3 Apprentice in Plastering at Lisburn Campus, employed by Andrew Gill, will be taking part in the SkillBuild 2025 national finals on 19 - 20 November 2025 at Arena MK in Milton Keynes.

In addition, Level 3 Fire and Security apprentices, Zeki Kaya, (20), from Newtownards, employed by Specialised Fire and Security; Alex Punyer (19) from Bangor, employed by ADT Fire and Security; and Luke Wilson (21), from Newtownabbey, employed by Atlas World, will compete in the national finals of the WorldSkills competition from 25–28 November, taking place in various venues across South Wales. 

SERC Principal and Chief Executive, Tommy Martin said, “We are delighted to have five apprentices representing not only SERC and their employers,  but Northern Ireland, in these two prestigious national finals.

“Competitions such as SkillBuild and WorldSkills are designed to test skills, technique, and ability within tight timeframes.   They allow our students to showcase their professionalism and knowledge against the very best of their peers from across the UK.   Taking part is a fantastic opportunity which already marks these apprentices as top performers, and we wish them all the very best in their respective competitions.”