Apprentice Route Leads to WorldSkills Success for David

David, 23, from Dromore, was announced as a finalist in the WorldSkills UK Regionals this summer and is set to represent SERC for joinery in the WorldSkills UK National Competition in November.   WorldSkills competitions are known as the ‘Olympics for Skills’.   He also secured first place at the College’s annual Intercampus joinery competition and won Student of the Year for Carpentry and Joinery at the College’s annual Excellence Awards. The young man, employed by Heaney Interiors in Ballynahinch is completing his Level 3 Apprenticeship in Carpentry and Joinery at SERC’s Lisburn Campus. 

David said, “I am delighted to qualify for the next stage of WorldSkills UK. I am looking forward to testing my skills against my peers from all over the UK.   It will be exciting to take part at the next level. The standard is very high, but I am up for the challenge.” 

He added, “One of the best things about the apprenticeship is that you are learning all the time, once you are skilled at one thing, you move on to something new and you are building on your skills.  You soon have responsibility for doing your own work.  At Heaney’s we are involved in domestic and commercial fit outs aswell as joinery and manufacturing kitchens.” 

Speaking about his apprenticeship and plans for the future, he said, “Eventually, I’d like to start my own business, and having the joinery qualification is the first step in helping me realise my ambitions. I’d highly recommend my course and the apprenticeship route to others.”  

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