Ninety-eight ambitious competitors across Northern Ireland will travel to County Down on Tuesday, May 20, to compete in this year's CITB SkillBuild NI Regional competition.

Delivered by the Construction Industry Training Board, SkillBuild will showcase some of the brightest upcoming talent in construction at South Eastern Regional College's (SERC) Downpatrick Campus on Market Street.

Supported by Department for the Economy and local construction companies, the competition provides an opportunity to raise the status and standards of professional and technical education and training.

Hosts SERC is confident that a home advantage will boost the success of their 21-strong team, who will be made up of apprentices and trainees competing in eight of the 11 trade areas being tested on the day.

These areas include: Cabinet Making, Plastering, Joinery, Carpentry, Electrical, Plumbing, Wall & Floor Tiling and Security Installation.

-- Advertisement --

Discussing the competition, Francis Rice, Principal Lecturer, School of Built Environment said: "We are thrilled to be hosting SkillBuild at SERC this year and we are looking forward to welcoming the 98 competitors, from across Northern Ireland to Downpatrick, who will be representing training organisations and all the FE colleges.

"Competition test pieces are designed to challenge the ability of the competitors to follow detailed instructions, produce accurate and neat work outputs, be economical with materials while working to strict timescales – all essential requirements needed for today’s construction industry. It is a balancing act, and the pressure will be on each student to evidence what they know and what they can do and deliver on the day."

Francis concluded: "SkillBuild is an exciting day, for the competitors, the lecturing teams and mentors and for the employers in the different trade areas. We are keen to share some of that excitement by welcoming over 130 students from local schools to SERC on the day to see the competition in action and take part in some 'have a go' sessions. They will have the opportunity to see the facilities at SERC, find out about pathways into the construction industry, and visit CITB Mobile Training Unit for a Careers Presentation, speak to local employers, construction professionals, SERC Careers team and local builders and power tools merchants."

The CITB SkillBuild NI Regional Competition will commence at 9am and conclude at 3.30pm.   Following the judging, winners will be announced at an awards ceremony hosted by local broadcaster, Sarah Travers.