Just when everyone thought the year of medals and world champions was over, a new flurry of competitors step up to compete to be best in the world. Although this time the venue was not the Velodrome, but the NEC in Birmingham, were South Eastern Regional College (SERC) students competed in the Worldskills competition. The student's medal haul included 2 Gold's in Refrigeration and Reflexology and a further Bronze in Reflexology.

WorldSkills is the world's largest, international skills competition where young people from across the globe compete to become the best of the best in their chosen skill. For many young people this is the opportunity to prove they are the rising generation of their industry.

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Bringing home Gold for Refrigeration was SERC student Adam Lyness from Dromore. Competitors at the event where given a range of tasks to do within a certain time, before judges from within the industry mark each entry. On his success Adam commented: "The whole experience has been great, I've learned so much and want to thank my tutors who have had to do a lot of work in getting me ready for the competition, but it’s all been worth it."

It was also a double success for SERC's Reflexology team at the competition, where Wendi Magee and Lisburn girl Melanie Marshall brought home Gold and Bronze medals. Speaking of her success Gold winner Wendi who's from Downpatrick said: "It feels great to have won the gold medal, all the hours of practice for the event has paid off and I couldn't be happier."

As well as the Worldskills event, the venue also hosted the UK Skillbuild final was also held, with SERC students again showing their skills. Saintfield local Andrew Gill won 1st place in the Plastering competition, with Downpatrick lad Mark Hawthorne securing 2nd place in carpentry.