Over 70 construction apprentices competed against each other and tested their skills in nine different construction trades at the Skillbuild NI Finals held at South West College, Technology and Skills Centre Enniskillen in March – with all the winners listed below.
Skillbuild NI, run and governed by CITB NI, is held annually each spring with the top local construction apprentices competing to win coveted titles ranging from brickwork to wall and floor tiling. The winners may then go on to represent Northern Ireland in the Skills Show UK and potentially at WorldSkills.
Department for Employment and Learning Deputy Secretary, Catherine Bell, said, “Skillbuild NI is a great opportunity to showcase and celebrate the high level of skills we possess and the impressive talent of our workforce. It reflects the high standards of training in our Colleges and the commitment to excellence demonstrated by the competitors.
“As with all skills competitions, Skillbuild NI is about raising the status and standards of professional and technical education and training. We have a proud record of success at skills competitions not only on a local level but also on a regional, national and world level. I congratulate the ten young competitors who have been selected to represent the UK Squad, and I look forward to seeing how many progress to the prestigious Worldskills competition in Abu Dhabi in 2017.”
This competition not only encourages trainees to improve their own skills, but provides an example of the high quality work being produced in training organisations and colleges across NI. The Skillbuild test pieces are designed to challenge the ability of apprentices, testing skills within tight timeframes and the competitors are being continuously assessed throughout the competition.
The competition has the support of local construction employers who sponsor each category, and has the overall support from the Department for Employment and Learning, Construction Employers Federation, Haldane Fisher, City and Guilds, and Subway.
Maurice Johnston, Chairman CITB NI, said, “CITB NI is proud to have been involved in construction competitions for almost 40 years. During this time we have witnessed many construction apprentices take their first steps on a journey that has led to success at UK National, International or even World Skills Competitions.
“Skillbuild is an amazing showcase for the wide variety of skills and talent we have in this country and we congratulate not only the medal winners but all of those who have taken part in this prestigious competition. Skillbuild NI couldn’t happen without the support of the local sponsors and the training network and we extend our thanks to all who have helped the apprentices to be able to compete here today. Our young people are more ambitious now than ever and we wish all the competitors luck in their future careers within the construction industry.”
Malachy McAleer, Chief Executive, South West College, said, “We at SWC and the Enniskillen Technology & Skills Centre were delighted to welcome the Skillbuild NI Finals to the Region. This Skills Competition is a tremendous opportunity to exhibit the quality of our future workforce. The contestants from across NI, always provide an outstanding spectacle. In global, European, and UK Skills competitions over recent years, NI participants have excelled; so it is likely that future World Skills winners will have participated in this NI event. The range of technical areas of display, the intensity of the competition and the quality of the skills exhibited always makes for an Olympic – style event.”
SKILLBUILD NI WINNERS
OVERALL APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR
Jemual Chaos, SERC
THE SKILLBUILD NI CHAIRPERSON’S CUP
South West College
SKILLBUILD NI DEL CUP
South West College
HUGH GETTINBY AWARD
Keith Wade, North West Regional College.
BRICKWORK
Jemual Chaos Gold SERC
Thomas Fegan Silver SRC
Edwin Lewis Bronze SWC
CABINET MAKING
Christopher Jeffery Gold SRC
Jonathan Smith Silver SWC
Edward Allan Bronze SWC
CARPENTRY
William Campbell Gold SERC
Brian McLoughlin Silver SWC
Euan Craig Bronze BMC
ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION
Stuart Graham Gold SWC
Philip Aiken Silver NRC
Aaron Topping Bronze NRC
JOINERY
Richard Shannon Gold SRC
Gareth Elliot Silver SWC
Jamie Jowe Bronze SWC
PAINTING AND DECORATING
Dylan Fitzpatrick Gold SWC
Dylan Sweeney Silver NWRC
Peter McKernan Bronze SWC
PLASTERING AND DRY WALL SYSTEMS
Daniel McAteer Gold SWC
Cailum McArdle Silver SRC
Curtis Johnston Bronze SERC
PLUMBING PIPEWORK
Tyler Elliott Gold SRC
Gary Knight Silver SRC
Richard Nicholson Bronze SRC
WALL AND FLOOR TILING
Daniel McBurney Gold SRC
David Markey Silver SRC
