Various students from Southern Regional College (SRC) shined at this year's Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB NI) annual SkillBuild NI regional qualifier competition.

The competition, which was hosted this year at South Eastern Regional College's (SERC) Downpatrick campus in County Down, is designed to test skills, technique, ability within tight timeframes, and identifies the top performers in 11 different trade areas within construction apprenticeship programmes from across Northern Ireland. It is a showcase of the wealth of talent and professionalism from the brightest recruits throughout the industry.

Over 100 of the top performers within construction apprenticeship programmes across Northern Ireland competed against each other, with SRC student apprentices building on previous strong competition performances with 20 students competing. 

Competition trade categories included: Brickwork, Furniture & Cabinet Making, Carpentry, Electrical Installation, Fire Installation, Security Installation, Joinery, Plastering, Drylining, Plumbing, Wall & Floor Tiling.

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SRC students placing at the competition were:

• Wall & Floor Tiling - Alan Holubowicz (1st place);

• Plastering - Thomas Maguire (2nd), Matthew McCready (3rd);

• Plumbing - Jake Elliot (3rd);

• Electrical Installation – Leon Rountree (3rd);

• Bricklaying – Ruairi McAvoy (3rd). 

Barry Neilson OBE, Chief Executive CITB NI, said: "A huge congratulations to all the apprentices who took part in the SkillBuild NI Regional Competition 2025. This competition is an opportunity for young people to meet with other like minded people, who are dedicated to being involved in the future direction of the industry. It is also an opportunity to encourage and continue to develop the work force of the future – this is crucial for industry growth and shaping the future."

Lee Campbell, Principal & CEO of Southern Regional College, added: "These competitions are a true test of determination, resilience, and skill, and the results are a credit to both the apprentices and our dedicated lecturers who continue to prepare students for success at regional and national levels."

The SkillBuild NI regional competition serves as a qualifier for the national finals of SkillBuild UK, SkillPLUMB and SkillELECTRIC, which will be held in November this year. Students who perform well in the regional heats may have the chance to represent Northern Ireland at the national level.

However, they’ll have to wait until July to find out if they've made it through. Only the top eight highest-scoring competitors across all regional events will progress, with the final regional qualifiers wrapping up in July. SkillBuild is supported by the Department for the Economy and local construction companies.