Alexander Gordon, employed by Norman Gordon, Kilkeel, from Southern Regional College competed against some of the best young people in the UK to win bronze medal in joinery at the UK Skillbuild competition held last month.

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, student Alexander was examined on complex test pieces in order to display skills within set timescales.

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David Cooper Chairman Skillbuild said: "Skillbuild demonstrates the expertise that is involved and is an excellent opportunity for young people to compete against each other at the highest levels. By putting forward their most talented students, colleges can also show off their talent and enhance their reputation by demonstrating their construction training is top quality."

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/KMcA)