NRC hosts inter-campus Skillbuild competition

Issac Kirker came first in the industrial heat category. Also pictured are Ian Warnock, NRC, Brenda Crotty Director of Planning and Customer Services NRC, and Norman Neil, Curriculum Manager Built Environment NRC. INLT 08-680-CON

Skillbuild NI, run by CITB NI, is held annually each year with the top local construction apprentices competing to win coveted titles ranging from brickwork to plumbing. The winners may then go on to represent Northern Ireland in the Skills Show UK and potentially at WorldSkills.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony Ronnie Laverty, NRC Head of Faculty for Building, Engineering and Science said: “We encourage the students to participate in all competitions, which will enhance their skills and knowledge. The inter-campus Skillbuild competition contributes to the learners experience and improves the trainee’s confidence, while providing them the opportunity to test their skills against their college peers.”

This year, students competed in Brickwork, Cabinet Making, Site Carpentry, Electrical Installation, Industrial Heating, Bench Joinery and Plumbing Pipework.

Competing in the bench joinery section were Jordan Stirling (2nd), Dean Martin (1st) and Joshua Glenn (3rd). Also pictured are John Robinson, Curriculum Manager NRC, Martin Magee, NRC tutor, and Brenda Crotty, Director of Planning and Customer Services NRC. INLT 08-678-CON

When announcing the winners, Ronnie added his congratulation to all the students across the college who participated in the competition and thanked the dedicated staff for their hard work.

Success was achieved by Cameron Waring from the Newtownabbey Campus who was awarded 1st place in Brickwork, 2nd place Kyle Hope and 3rd place James Wilson, both from the Newtownabbey Campus.

First place was awarded to Issac Kirker in the Industrial Heating Category. Issac is a student at the Newtownabbey campus.

In the Bench Joinery category, 1st was awarded to Dean Martin, Magherafelt campus, 2nd Jordan Stirling, Newtownabbey campus and 3rd to Joshua Glenn, also from the Newtownabbey campus.

In the final category, 1st place in Plumbing Pipework was awarded to Keilan Mullen, Newtownabbey campus, 2nd Enda Gavigan, and 3rd Denver Mills, both from the Trostan Avenue, Ballymena campus.