Forty five Apprentices and Trainees from Northern Regional College showcased their talents at the annual inter-campus heats of SkillBuild NI 2025, the UK’s largest multi-trade competition for young students and apprentices. Governed by the Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB NI), SkillBuild NI provides a platform for participants to demonstrate their expertise across various construction-related disciplines.

The competitions for joinery, carpentry, cabinet making, plumbing, and electrical installation were hosted at the College’s Newtownabbey campus, while the brickwork competition took place at the Farm Lodge campus in Ballymena. These heats mark the first step for competitors aiming to qualify for the Northern Ireland regional heats at South Eastern Regional College in May, with the potential to reach the UK national finals later in the year.

David Russell, Curriculum Area Manager for Construction in the Department of Advanced Technologies at Northern Regional College, commended all participants for their dedication and hard work, highlighting the vital role of employer support in the apprentices’ development.

“The SkillBuild NI competition is a fantastic opportunity for apprentices and trainees to put their skills to the test in a competitive environment.  We are incredibly proud of our students and their achievements, and we look forward to seeing them progress in their respective fields.”

Patrick Wallace, Principal Lecturer for Traineeships at Northern Regional College said, “This prestigious event not only challenges participants to showcase their technical abilities but also helps them develop confidence, problem-solving skills, and a professional mindset. Competitions like SkillBuild NI play a crucial role in preparing young professionals for successful careers, and we look forward to seeing them continue to grow, refine their craft, and make valuable contributions to their respective industries.”

Each competitor received a participation certificate, while the top three in each category were awarded Screwfix vouchers in recognition of their achievements.

Rachel Dorovatas, Director of Industry Training and Support at CITB NI, praised the high standards of skill and training demonstrated at the event.

“We are continually impressed by the talent and commitment of the apprentices and trainees in the Inter Campus College Competitions across the college and training network. We congratulate all participants with special recognition given to those who excelled in their respective trade categories. Their exceptional performance may provide an opportunity to further showcase their talents at the upcoming SkillBuild NI Regional Competition, scheduled to take place in Downpatrick this May”

The winners of the 2025 SkillBuild NI inter-campus heats at Northern Regional College are:

Electrical Installation
1st: Emeka Onwuka (Newtownabbey Campus)
2nd: Lewis Armour (Newtownabbey Campus)
3rd: Josh Strowger (Ballymena Campus)

Plumbing
1st: Micheál Hughes (Ballymena Campus)
2nd: Ewan Hood (Ballymena Campus)
3rd: Daniel Nicholson (Newtownabbey Campus)

Carpentry
1st: Jeremiasz Guzik (Coleraine Campus)
2nd: Jonas Lear (Coleraine Campus)
3rd: Robbie Buchanan (Ballymena Campus

Joinery
1st: Jamie McMullan (Newtownabbey Campus)
2nd: Charlie Fleck (Ballymena Campus)
3rd: Allie Conway (Newtownabbey Campus)

Cabinet Making
1st: Matthew Conly (Newtownabbey Campus)
2nd: Matthew Madden (Newtownabbey Campus)
3rd: Taylor Lewis (Newtownabbey Campus)

Brickwork
1st: Daniel Beckett (Ballymena Campus)
2nd: Joel Deans (Ballymena Campus)
3rd: Pawel Bogdan (Ballymena Campus)

To find out more about the Traineeships and Apprenticeships available at Northern Regional College, visit nrc.ac.uk for further details.