South West College (SWC) Plumbing and Heating lecturer Andrew Barrett has been awarded the prestigious Hugh Gettinby Best Trainer/Lecturer Award at this year’s SkillBuild NI Regional Competition.
Sponsored by Construction Futures, the award recognises individuals who have demonstrated exceptional success and dedication to training and developing young people in line with the SkillBuild NI ethos. Based at SWC's Omagh campus, Andrew was recognised for consistently going above and beyond his teaching role to inspire and nurture the skills, confidence and ambitions of young people entering the construction industry.
The Hugh Gettinby Best Trainer/Lecturer Award is presented annually to an individual who has shown outstanding commitment to supporting the next generation of skilled professionals through high-quality training, mentorship and encouragement.
Throughout his career at SWC, Andrew has played a pivotal role in preparing students for skills competitions and supporting their progression within the construction sector. His ability to identify talent and help students realise their full potential has contributed significantly to the success of many apprentices and learners.
Congratulating Andrew on his achievement, Head of Department John Moss said:
"Congratulations to Andrew Barrett on receiving the Hugh Gettinby Best Trainer/Lecturer Award. This recognition is thoroughly deserved and reflects his outstanding commitment to supporting and developing young people entering the construction industry.
“Andrew's dedication, expertise and ability to inspire students have contributed to the success of many aspiring tradespeople. He consistently goes above and beyond to help learners reach their full potential, making him a highly deserving recipient of this prestigious award."
SkillBuild NI, organised by the Construction Industry Training Board Northern Ireland (CITB NI) and supported by the Department for the Economy, is one of the construction industry's most highly anticipated competitions. The event brings together apprentices from across Northern Ireland to compete in a range of skills disciplines, with top performers progressing to the national SkillBuild finals in Great Britain and competing against the UK's leading apprentices.
Andrew's award highlights the crucial role educators play in developing the future workforce and reflects South West College's ongoing commitment to excellence in vocational education and skills development.