APPRENTICES from across the South Eastern Regional College’s various campuses went head-to-head in a recent Skillbuild competition.
The event was one of a series of Skillbuild inter-campus college competitions held across Northern Ireland designed challenge the ability of students and apprentices working in the construction trades.
Competitors representing the Downpatrick, Lisburn and Newtownards campuses were judged by Skillbuild officials in disciplines including bricklaying, cabinet making, carpentry, electrical, industrial pipework, joinery, plastering, refrigeration and air conditioning.
The events were held at the college’s various campuses, with Downpatrick hosting the plastering and bricklaying competitions. The apprentices were set a test project which took a day to complete and their work was judged and scored by Skillbuild area managers.
The various winners all qualified to represent the South Eastern Regional College at the annual Skillbuild NI Regional finals due to be held next month in Newtownabbey.
Downpatrick campus brickwork apprentice Thomas Curran won his category, ahead of Michael Keenan and Jordan Moore respectively. They also study at the Lower Market Street campus.
In the plastering category, the Downpatrick campus came out on top again taking the top three places, with Chris Bailie winning from Chris Marshall and Matthew Nicholl respectively.
Downpatrick apprentice electrician Jack Rice finished first in his category, with the Lower Market Street college’s Brian McIlmail finishing third.
In the carpentry category, there was even more success for the Downpatrick campus, with Mark Hawthorne taking top spot, with fellow classmate Jason McGeown taking first place in the joinery discipline.
All the winning apprentices hope their experiences during the inter-campus competition can act as platform for success at the regional finals.
Mr. John Nixon, the South Eastern College’s Head of School Construction and Engineering, said Skillbuild provides a unique stage for trainees to showcase their skills and expertise and motivates them to reach the highest standards in trade careers.
“It was a very successful competition with around 70 of our students participating. I was impressed with the high standard of workmanship displayed and this was commented on by the various judges.”