Bricklaying Wins at SERC in Intercampus Skillbuild Competitions

Fifty-four (54) apprentices put their skills to the test in the annual Intercampus Skillbuild Competition at South Eastern Regional College (SERC) recently. 

Level 2 and Level 3 apprentices and traineeship students from Downpatrick and Newtownards Campuses travelled to SERC’s Lisburn Campus, which hosted the annual competition overseen by the Construction Industry Training Board. Nine different skills areas were tested, as students vied for top spots in Carpentry, Joinery, Cabinet Making, Bricklaying, Plastering, Plumbing, Electrical Installation, Wall and Floor Tiling and Fire and Security. 

Pictured above (L – R) Heather McKee, Deputy Principal, SERC; with Joshua Orr, who took first place in the Skillbuild intercampus bricklaying competition at SERC; second place, Ryan Malcolm; and third place, Cody Devlin, all from Newtownards and all Newtownards Campus; with Francis Rice, Principal Lecturer, SERC. 

Certificates were presented to competitors who had been placed first, second and third, by Heather McKee, Deputy Principal Planning, Performance and Engagement at SERC, along with thousands of pounds worth of prizes donated by local trade businesses including, JP Corry, MacBlair, Howdens, Trust Buddy Tools, City Electrical Factors, Warmflow and Dennis Wilson of Glenavy who brought along representatives from Makita, OX Tools, CT1, Blue Steel Boots and Rothenberg Tools. 

Following Skillbuild Intercampus Competitions at all the Further Education Colleges across Northern Ireland, the top ranked competitors from each discipline will go forward for the Skillbuild NI Regional Final, hosted by SERC’s Downpatrick Campus on Tuesday 20 May 2025.