Three NI carpentry apprentices have been awarded gold, silver and bronze medals at the Skillbuild UK National Finals.

The Skillbuild competition is the largest multi-trade competition in the UK for young students and apprentices. It covers nine crafts including carpentry, joinery, bricklaying and plastering.

Following on from recent success at the Skillbuild NI National Competition held in May, students Luke Hawthorne, South East Regional College (employed by H J O'Boyle), Wayne Cully (employed by CC Developments) from Southern Regional College and Phillip Glasgow (employed by R L Scott) from South West College achieved gold, silver and bronze medals respectively.

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This was the first time ever that local apprentices achieved such a 'triple', with David Cooper, Chairman, Skillbuild NI, noting: "To win gold, silver and bronze in the one category is a fantastic achievement and the first of its kind for the Skillbuild Northern Ireland team. The students should take pride in their accomplishment and it is also a credit to the trainers and colleges.

"Luke, Wayne and Phillip worked hard to develop their skills in preparation for this competition and we must also thank their lecturers for time spent training and preparing the students."

The highest performers in each of these competitions then compete against each other for the opportunity to represent the UK in WorldSkills. WorldSkills is the biggest skills competition in the world and is held every two years in different cities across the world and will be held in London in 2011.

(CD/BMcC)