Skillbuild NI has named the recipients of its first ever Apprenticeship Endeavour Award.

Two young students won the prize at the Skillbuild NI Finals on Friday 22 March 2019 at Belfast Metropolitan College.

Robert Mythen and Gerard McGeown were both nominated by their respective colleges Southern Regional College and Belfast Metropolitan College as they have overcome significant personal adversities which allowed them to continue their construction training, gain qualifications and secure employment within the industry.

Sponsors CITB NI and Radius Housing awarded each winner £500 in acknowledgement of their dedication to training in difficult circumstances.

Robert, who is profoundly deaf, experienced challenges in training, education and gaining employment. He was determined that his lack of hearing was not going to stand in his way and he overcame the challenges and immersed himself in learning his trade. Robert found an employer who supported him and made the necessary adaptations within the workplace to allow him to progress. He is now a fully qualified painter and decorator with ambitions to start his own business.

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Gerard was diagnosed with severe dyslexia which provided barriers within the education network to gain the relevant qualifications he needed to achieve NVQ Level 3. Gerard worked with specialist tutors and explored non-traditional learning methods to gain his qualifications. He is now a fully qualified joiner and has retained employment with his employer, who supported him with his NVQ.

Barry Neilson, Chief Executive, CITB NI said: "Congratulations to both Robert & Gerard, who have both  demonstrated that against all odds they have not given up despite personal difficulties and have achieved their construction qualifications and gained employment. Both are worthy winners of the very first Apprenticeship Endeavour Award and have shown that personal resilience will help you succeed. Their stories will provide inspiration to others within the construction training network who are experiencing personal difficulties."

John McLean, Chief Executive, Radius Housing added: "As a leading social enterprise involved in housing care and support to over 33,000 homes across Northern Ireland we are delighted to be partnering with CITB NI on this new award. Congratulations to both Robert and Gerard who are indeed worthy winners. Many construction apprentices have worked on our social housing developments and we understand the needs, demands and challenges faced within the sector."

(CM/JG)