Students from South West College took part in The Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB NI) annual SkillBuild NI Regional Qualifier Competition 2025 competition at South Eastern Regional College (SERC), Downpatrick campus.

The competition 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, professionalism, and the brightest recruits throughout the industry.

Over 100 of the brightest recruits and top performers within construction apprenticeship programmes from across Northern Ireland competed against each other to win in categories: Brickwork, Furniture & Cabinet Making, Carpentry, Electrical Installation, Fire Installation, Security Installation, Joinery, Plastering, Drylining, Plumbing, Wall & Floor Tiling.

The SkillBuild NI Regional Competition is part of a regional qualifier and SWC students achieved success across a number of categories with SWC Enniskillen Level 3 Plumbing apprentice, David Bateman Smith, employed with Ashley McFarland Plumbing, who was awarded Overall Best Young Apprentice, while Omagh Bricklaying apprentice Aaron Cassidy and employed with Christopher King and Plumbing apprentice Tristan McGrath, employed with Damien Hannigan, achieved silver and may have the opportunity to represent Northern Ireland in the SkillBuild UK national final held later in the year.

SkillBuild is delivered by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB GB) and showcases some of the brightest talent in construction. Supported by the Department for the Economy and local construction companies, the competition provides an opportunity to showcase the high level of skills and the impressive talent within the workforce, as well as raising the status and standards of professional and technical education and training.

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.I would like to take this opportunity to thank our partners CITB (GB) and SERC and look forward to the SkillBuild UK National Finals in November.”

John Moss, Head of Department for Sustainability, Construction and Transport at South West College, added:

“The annual SkillBuild NI competitions are a fantastic platform for our apprentices to showcase their skills, talent, and knowledge alongside the best in Northern Ireland. Their success is a testament not only to their dedication and determination but also to the invaluable support and expert guidance of their employers and staff at South West College.

A huge thank you goes to our lecturers, technicians, managers, support staff, and employer partners whose collective efforts have helped prepare our apprentices for this prestigious event. The exceptional standard of work on display reflects the high-quality training and learning environment at South West College.

A special congratulations to David on being named Overall Best Young Apprentice; a truly outstanding achievement. Also, well done to all who took part, and best wishes to Aaron, Tristan and David who may now have the opportunity to advance to the SkillBuild UK National Finals in November. We are incredibly proud of TeamSWC!”

For further details on CITB NI support for apprenticeships and employers visit www.citbni.org.uk. Follow CITBNI on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn #SkillBuildNI2025. For further details on SkillBuild please visit www.goconstruct.org.

Apprenticeships