Skillbuild Competition at South West College
On Tuesday 11th January 2011 South West College Dungannon played host to one of a series of the Skillbuild Northern Ireland Inter-Campus College competitions taking place across the province. This series of competitions tested the talents of students and apprentices training within the construction industry who are hoping for a coveted place in the 2011 Skillbuild Northern Ireland National Finals.
Competitors representing Dungannon, Enniskillen and Omagh Campuses were judged by Skillbuild Northern Ireland Chief Area Managers in disciplines ranging from joinery to brickwork and from plumbing to floor and wall tiling. A number of local schools, including Aughnacloy College, Holy Trinity College and the Integrated College Dungannon also visited the campus to view the training facilities on offer and watch the students compete in the range of disciplines.
Curriculum Manager for Training at South West College, Alastair Booth comments;
"As Curriculum Manager for Training at South West College, I am delighted that our students have been given the opportunity to develop their skills and take part in this Inter-Campus College heat. These students have shown great skill in getting to this level. Despite the fact that industry is going through tough times, we are preparing our students for a brighter future, which will come.
“A number of schools visited the Dungannon Campus today to spectate at the various competition areas and I am hopeful that we can reach out to these school leavers who are interested in these trades and offer them the same opportunities."
South West College is no stranger to success in the Skills arena. Joinery student Trevor Woods won the Bronze medal at the Skills equivalent of the Olympics – The WorldSkills Competition held in Calgary, Canada in September 2009. Trevor first found success at both the National and then the UK finals before progressing to the bi-annual WorldSkills Competition and more recently Dungannon Brickwork student, Connor Nevin from Ballinderry won a silver medal at the UK Skillbuild competition held in North Wales. What lies ahead for this year’s hopefuls?
South West College Operational Manager, Noel McIntyre says;
"This is the first step for future young craft trades persons in this inter-campus Skillbuild competition. The winners of this stage will progress on to the Skillbuild Northern Ireland finals. The winners of that may have the opportunity then progress on to the UK finals and if successful there they can then be selected for the UK Skills Selection Squad from which the ultimate winner will compete in WorldSkills. This is a great opportunity for all trainees/students to showcase their skills in a competition environment."
With its’ origins lying in the construction craft competitions, which started in Northern Ireland in the mid 1980’s, Skillbuild NI is a non-profit making organisation that promotes construction skills and training excellence through organising and promoting competitions within Northern Ireland and holds the UK Skills National Seal of Approval for their competitions.
This competition is made possible due to sponsorship from DEL and other local sponsors. The winners and top performers from the College Competitions will go forward and compete at the 2011 Skillbuild Northern Ireland National Finals due to be held in March 2011. We wish our students every success at the next level!
