Skillbuild Inter Campus Competition January 2012
On Monday 9th January 2012 South West College Enniskillen 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 2012 Skillbuild Northern Ireland National Finals, in Limavady.
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 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, Enniskillen Campus, John McTeggart commented,
“It was a very successful competition with around 80 of our students participating. I was impressed with the high standard of workmanship displayed and this was commented on by the various judges and Mr Eric Ferguson from Skillbuild NI. Taking part in competitions requires courage and commitment, which I believe gives young people a sense of achievement and pride in their work, and this was evident today”.
South West College is no stranger to success in the Skills arena. Philip Glasgow, a trainee at SWC, will be representing the UK in the 2012 European Competition for Carpenters being held in Stuttgart, Germany from Jan 31st - Feb 3rd. Philip is currently the GOLD medal winner, in both Northern Ireland and the UK. Mark Woods was also a finalist last year taking a Bronze medal in the UK Skills competition in Wall and Floor Tiling, and he is still part of the Worldskills selection for Germany 2013.
South West College Skillbuild Champion, 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 to 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-1980s, 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.
David Cooper, Chairman of Skillbuild NI comments,
“Skills competitions are an excellent way to showcase the high level of technical ability and occupational competence of young people within the construction industry. Competitions such as these have a major role to play in stimulating interest by showing the public just how exciting, challenging and rewarding a career in construction can be”.
South West College would like to thank local businesses for their generosity in supporting our competitors through the sponsorship of prize money and gift vouchers. This was much appreciated.
