South West College (SWC) recently hosted its annual intercampus WorldSkills Science Competition at Erne Campus, where students from Omagh, Dungannon, and Erne showcased their analytical skills in a high-level scientific challenge.

Participants were tasked with identifying the concentration of an unknown copper sulphate solution using advanced analytical methods, demonstrating their expertise in practical science applications. In addition to the competition, students had the opportunity to gain valuable insights from an informative talk by the Loughs Agency, enriching their understanding of real-world scientific applications.

Kristina Kustova and Isamaura Morais from Dungannon Campus secured first place, while Omagh students Eamon O’Hagan and Rachel Gilbrath took second place. Third place went to Erne Campus students Rhodri McCormac and Theo Reynolds.

These winners may now have the chance to advance to the next stage of the competition. Success at intercampus level marks the first step towards the prestigious WorldSkills stage, where top-performing students will go on to be benchmarked against competitors from other Further Education Colleges across Northern Ireland. Those who excel may go on to represent the region at both national and international levels.

Claudine Marshall, Health Life and Personal Sciences Lecturer praised the students for their enthusiasm and skill, stating: "The intercampus WorldSkills Science Competition is a fantastic opportunity for students to apply their knowledge in a practical and competitive setting. Their performance this year has been outstanding, and it’s inspiring to see such dedication to STEM subjects. These students have bright futures ahead in the field of science and technology."