The Faculty of Building Technology and Engineering at Southern Regional College (SRC) held its annual SkillBuild Intercampus competition on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, at the Greenbank campus.

The event serves as a rigorous test of technical skill, technique, and the ability to perform under time pressure while upholding professional industry standards.

Apprentices and Traineeship students from SRC's Armagh, Greenbank, and Portadown campuses took part in the multi-trade event. Participants competed for the chance to represent their employers and the College at the SkillBuild Northern Ireland (NI) regional competition this May. Success at the regional level can lead to students representing Northern Ireland at the SkillBuild UK National finals later in the year.

Close to 70 competitors participated across eight distinct categories: bricklaying, cabinet making, carpentry, joinery, electrical installation, plastering, plumbing, and wall and floor tiling. Those who placed in the competition were awarded vouchers for their achievements, while all participants in the electrical installation category received vouchers courtesy of City Electrical Factors (CEF).

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The day also featured preliminary competition activity aligned with WorldSkills UK in the fields of fabrication and welding, as well as automotive studies, involving nearly 30 students. Additional WorldSkills UK preliminaries for automotive refinishing and automotive body repair are set to be held at the Portadown campus in the coming weeks.

Mr Gareth Mone, Curriculum Area Manager at Southern Regional College, commented: "The annual intercampus SkillBuild competition once again brought together apprentices and trainees from across our campuses, all determined to prove themselves under real industry conditions. It is encouraging to see so many of our students step forward, push beyond their comfort zones and commit to the highest standards of workmanship. Competitions like this do more than test technical ability, they build resilience, confidence and pride in the trade. The level of skill and professionalism demonstrated this year shows that the future of our construction and engineering industries is in capable hands."

Rachel Dorovatas, Director of Industry Training & Support at CITB NI, attended the event and added: "The SkillBuild Regional competition, showcases the fantastic variety of young talent coming through the industry. With the current skills gap, SkillBuild plays a vital role in promoting construction careers and attracting a diverse new generation into the sector. Congratulations to all participants who have participated in the inter-campus and competitor selection process, with special recognition given to those who excelled in their respective trade categories. Their exceptional performance may provide an opportunity to further showcase their talents at the upcoming SkillBuild NI Regional Competition, scheduled to take place in Southern Regional College, Newry in May."