skip to main content
Close
  • Students
  • Staff
  • Applicants
South West College logo
  • SWC
  • Find a course
    • Courses A-Z
    • School Leaver (16-18)
    • Higher Education
    • 14-16 Provision
    • Adult Learners (19+)
    • Parents & Carers
    • Employers
    • Subject Areas
    • International Programmes
    •  
    • Apprenticeships
    • Skills for Life
    • Traineeships
    • Mentor Connect
    •  
    • Higher Level Apprenticeships
    • I want to be a HLA
    • I want to employ a HLA
    • Course Help
    • How to Apply/Enrol
    • Course Fees
    • Qualifications Explained
    •  
    • Social Inclusion
    • Going Places
    • College Connect
    • SUSE+
    • Sectoral Employability Academies
    This image (Swc 061221 057) is a link that points to the Download a Prospectus page
    View All Prospectuses

    Need Help Applying for a course?

    Contact admissions@swc.ac.uk and a member of our admissions team will get back to you
    How to Apply
    • Student Support
    • Careers Guidance
    • Career Builder
    • Health & Wellbeing
    • Learning Support
    • Carers
    • Student Finance
    • Student Handbook
    •  
    •  
    • Student Life
    • Meet Our Students
    • Term Dates
    • Events
    • Way Out West
    • Turing Scheme
    •  
    • Digital Learning
    This image (Swc 061221 057) is a link that points to the Student Handbook page

    Student Handbook

    Download

    Funding Support for Students

    As a student there are a several funding opportunities you can apply to for help with your course related costs.
    More Info
    • Explore Our Campuses
    • Erne Campus
    • Dungannon
    • Omagh
    • Cookstown
    • Technology & Skills
    • Automotive Centre
    • The Workhouse
    •  
    • Enterprise Action Hub
    • Business Services
    • Skill Up
    • Skills Focus and InnovateUs
    • Innovation Vouchers
    • Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)
    •  
    • Community
    • Recruitment
    • News
    • Corporate
    • Policies & Procedures
    • Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
    • Financial Statements
    • College Development Plan 21/22
    • Sustainability
    • Privacy & Data Protection
    • Governance
    • Publication Scheme
    Play video This image (Collage made up of three photos depicting students engaged in photography, art, and IT.) is a link that points to the About page
  • Contact
  • Your List
  • SWC
      • Courses A-Z
      • School Leaver (16-18)
      • Higher Education
      • 14-16 Provision
      • Adult Learners (19+)
      • Parents & Carers
      • Employers
      • Subject Areas
      • International Programmes
      • Apprenticeships
      • Skills for Life
      • Traineeships
      • Mentor Connect
      • Higher Level Apprenticeships
      • I want to be a HLA
      • I want to employ a HLA
      • Course Help
      • How to Apply/Enrol
      • Course Fees
      • Qualifications Explained
      • Social Inclusion
      • Going Places
      • College Connect
      • SUSE+
      • Sectoral Employability Academies
      • Student Support
      • Careers Guidance
      • Career Builder
      • Health & Wellbeing
      • Learning Support
      • Carers
      • Student Finance
      • Student Handbook
      • Student Life
      • Meet Our Students
      • Term Dates
      • Events
      • Way Out West
      • Turing Scheme
    • Digital Learning
      • Explore Our Campuses
      • Erne Campus
      • Dungannon
      • Omagh
      • Cookstown
      • Technology & Skills
      • Automotive Centre
      • The Workhouse
      • Business Services
      • Skill Up
      • Skills Focus and InnovateUs
      • Innovation Vouchers
      • Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)
    • Community
    • Recruitment
    • News
      • Corporate
      • Policies & Procedures
      • Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
      • Financial Statements
      • College Development Plan 21/22
      • Sustainability
      • Privacy & Data Protection
      • Governance
      • Publication Scheme
    • Enterprise Action Hub
  • Contact
  • Students
  • Staff
  • Applicants

Local Motor Vehicle Apprentice Triumphs at Euroskills 2014

From 2-4th October 417 young skilled workers from 25 countries competed over three days in 41 skills for the title of best in Europe at EuroSkills, the largest European skills competition. The competition was hosted by WorldSkills France, a member of WorldSkills Europe and Regional Nord-Pas de Calais.

Twenty-one year old Declan travelled to Lille as part of Team UK, which was made up of 21 competitors representing 16 skills. The team returned from EuroSkills with a haul of 3 gold medals, 6 silver medals and 3 medallions for excellence, with the UK ranking 5th based on their average score.

The automotive technology category consisted of a total of 4 assessments, each lasting 3 hours, on a range of Peugeot and Renault models, including: engine mechanical; body electrics; engine management systems; steering suspension and brakes, with Declan excelling in particular in both electrical tasks.

Speaking about Declan’s success, his tutor at South West College, Raymond Fitzpatrick said:
“We are extremely proud of Declan. This result is a true reflection of his skills, knowledge and commitment to excel in his trade. His preparation before the competition was second to none and he left no stones unturned to make sure he was ready for the top-class standards expected at EuroSkills.

“Prior to EuroSkills, Declan spent a lot of time getting familiar with French car models, component reference numbers and French technical instructions using the college’s Renault computer system. We also purchased a Peugeot engine from England, which Declan brought home to strip and rebuild many times in his utility room! His commitment to giving his best is truly unquestionable!”

Having returned home with his gold medal, Declan added:
“The whole build up to the competition and competing at EuroSkills was a great experience and getting the gold medal means the world to me. Each assessment task presented multiple complex problems and my every move was scrutinised by a number of judges, so the pressure was definitely very intense.

“I really hope that this success and all the hard work will pay off with a place at WorldSkills.”

John Dawson, the UK Automotive Training Manager said:
“It was very difficult watching Declan work because I am his training manager and so his performance and welfare is my concern, but I am also an expert and judge.

“Declan was confident and put in a really good performance and did excellently in all of the areas we thought he would.”

South West College would like to thank Declan’s employer, Kevin Keown at Bundoran Motors for the continued support throughout the skills competitions and also to thank Edward Maguire at TC Autos (Omagh), a leading Renault supplier for working with Declan prior to EuroSkills to assist with product familiarisation, which involved working on a range of Renault models.

Share

Subscribe
for all stuff Way Out West

graphics-top-left-blue
graphics-top-right-yellow

Footer

Quick Links
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Track Your Application
  • Vacancies
  • Download a Prospectus
  • Download Our App
  • Contact Us
  • Policies & Procedures
  • Term Dates
  • Status of Key Services
  • Privacy & Data Protection
  • SWC YouTube
  • SWC LinkedIn
  • SWC Instagram
  • SWC Facebook
  • SWC Twitter
Tel: 028 8225 0109
AccessAble Department for the Economy
Payments powered by WorldPay
Payments powered by WorldPay
  • Privacy & Data Protection
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
South West College © 2023
Green17 - Web design Belfast, Northern Ireland
  • Privacy & Data Protection
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
South West College © 2023 Green17 - Web design Belfast, Northern Ireland