Seven of Northern Ireland’s top construction trainees have been selected to join the UK Squad for the next WorldSkills competition in Leipzig, Germany in 2013.

WorldSkills is the biggest international skills competition in the world. Held every two years in one of its 61 member countries/regions, the competition sees around 1,000 young people aged 18 - 23 from across the globe come together to compete for medals in more than 40 different trades and skills including Electrical Installation, Mobile Robotics, Web Design, Cooking and Landscape Gardening.

Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry, commending the trainees on their excellent achievement, said: “Northern Ireland’s strong representation so far on Squad UK is testament to the high standard of vocational training in our colleges and training organisations and the commitment to excellence shown by our young people. Northern Ireland enjoys an excellent track record at WorldSkills competitions and I am hopeful that this will continue.”

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The Minister added: “All seven Northern Irish squad members deserve the highest of praise for their achievement in making it as far as Squad UK to demonstrate how highly skilled they are. I wish each squad member every success in the training ahead and I look forward to following their progress in the lead up to WorldSkills Leipzig 2013.”

The members of Squad UK were chosen from among the UK’s most talented apprentices, employees and learners after they competed in tough selection events held throughout the UK last month. They will now spend the next year preparing to take on the very best from across the world, undergoing a specialised training programme supported by a dedicated Training Manager for each skill.

Squad UK competitors will compete for coveted places in Team UK at further selection events which will be held throughout the UK in March 2013. Team UK will then continue intensive training before competing on the world stage at WorldSkills Leipzig which takes place from 2 to 7 July 2013.

Northern Ireland triumphed at WorldSkills London 2011, winning gold, silver and bronze medals as part of Team UK. A gold medal in bricklaying was awarded to Philip Green, student at Belfast Metropolitan College and self-employed at DG Green and Sons, Lisburn. A silver medal in landscape gardening was awarded to James Cuffey. A Bronze medal in refrigeration and air-conditioning was awarded to South Eastern Regional College student, Stuart Millar from Loughgall.

In addition to the three medals, two students, Mark McGinty and Chris Downey, won Medallions for Excellence in mechatronics. This honour is awarded to those competitors who reach the world class level in their skills discipline.

Further members of Squad UK will be announced following a second phase of selection in September.

(GK)