The SkillBuild NI Regional Competition is part of a regional qualifier and SWC students achieved success across a number of categories. SWC Omagh Level 3 Plumbing apprentice Tristan McGrath secured Gold in the Plumbing competition, while SWC Enniskillen Level 3 Plastering apprentices Peter Bryant achieved Silver and Matthew Sloan took Bronze in the Plastering competition and may have the opportunity to represent Northern Ireland in the SkillBuild UK national final held 17-19 November 2026 in Milton Keynes.
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:
“Congratulations to all the apprentices who took part in the SkillBuild NI Regional Qualifier Competition 2026. The competition is a fantastic opportunity for apprentices to showcase their skills, connect with other like-minded individuals and demonstrate their commitment to building a career in the construction industry. Events like this play an important role in encouraging and developing the next generation of talent, which is vital for supporting industry growth and shaping the future workforce. I would like to thank our partners CITB (GB) and SRC for their continued support, the Department for Economy and industry sponsors and we 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 provide an outstanding opportunity for our apprentices to demonstrate their skills, talent, and expertise alongside some of the very best in Northern Ireland. Their achievements are a reflection of their hard work, commitment, and determination, as well as the invaluable support and guidance provided by their employers and the dedicated staff at South West College.
“We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our lecturers, technicians, managers, support staff, and employer partners whose collective efforts have helped prepare our apprentices for this prestigious competition. The exceptional standard showcased throughout the event is a testament to the high-quality teaching, training, and learning environment at South West College.
“We are incredibly proud of all the SWC students who reached this stage of the competition and commend them for their outstanding efforts. Special congratulations go to Tristan, Peter and Matthew, who may now progress to the SkillBuild UK National Finals. Their success is a fantastic achievement for both themselves and TeamSWC.”
For further details on CITB NI support for apprenticeships and employers visit www.citbni.org.uk. For further details on SkillBuild please visit www.goconstruct.org.
For more information or to apply for a SWC course starting in September 2026 in construction trades, see below.