South Eastern Regional College (SERC) apprentices achieved the highest number of podium finishes at this year's Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB NI) SkillBuild Regional Qualifier, which took place in May at the college's Downpatrick Campus.

The competition, which tests skills, technique and ability across 11 trade areas within construction apprenticeship programmes in Northern Ireland, saw SERC apprentices secure three first places, two second places and three third places across five categories. Following their success, five apprentices from the college will now progress to national competitions.

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Francis Rice, Principal Lecturer, School of Construction said: "It is great to have this recognition for the hard work and dedication of SERC students and staff. We were delighted to host and to compete in the Regional SkillBuild Competition and look forward to further success as our apprentices' progress to the SkillBuild UK Finals and WorldSkills UK Finals in November 2025."

Carpentry apprentice Matthew Rutherford from Bangor, employed by Gareth McCartney and based at SERC's Newtownards Campus, together with plastering apprentice David Johnston from Saintfield, employed by Andrew Gill and training at the Lisburn Campus, will represent Northern Ireland at the SkillBuild 2025 national final on November 19–20 at Arena MK in Milton Keynes.

Three apprentices from the Fire and Security programme have also qualified for the National Finals of the WorldSkills competition. They are Zeki Kaya from Newtownards, employed by Specialised Fire and Security; Alex Punyer from Bangor, employed by Johnson Controls; and Luke Wilson from Newtownabbey, employed by Atlas World. The finals will take place across several venues in South Wales from November 25–28.