Conal Set for SPARKS Apprentice of the Year Competition

Conal McCrissican, from Downpatrick, a Level 3 Electrical Installation apprentice at South Eastern Regional College (SERC), has beaten off stiff competition at the Northern Ireland Regionals of the SPARKS Apprentice of the Year, securing a place in the Grand Final of the UK wide competition which will be held on 24 September 2020.

Employed by local business, SJ Savage Electrical, Conal, one of three finalists, will be tasked with completing a one-day practical assessment at SERC’s Downpatrick Campus, in the presence of independent external judge, Geoff Brittain from NAPIT, the accreditation body for installers in the electrical, heating, plumbing, ventilation, microgeneration and building fabric trades across the UK domestic, commercial and industrial markets. The SPARKS Apprentice of the Year will be announced later that day.

Steven Donnelly, Lecturer in Electrical Installation said, “Conal seems to take everything in his stride and does not get intimidated by big challenges or the pressures of a competition. He carries out his work with discipline and professionalism and is a great ambassador for young people following the apprenticeship route who are keen to earn whilst they learn.

He added, “We were extremely proud to have had three apprentices from SERC in the Northern Ireland Regionals and are delighted that Conal has secured a place in the finals. Fellow apprentices, Jack McBride, Lisburn Campus and Scott Ferguson, Newtownards Campus, displayed the highest levels of work in what was a very stiff competition. The achievements of all three young apprentices is testament to their efforts and the training provided by SERC in partnership with their employers.

Last year, SERC Level 3 Electrical Installation apprentice, Scott Barr, from Ballygowan, also reached the finals of the competition.

Launched in 2010, the SPARKS UK Electrical Apprentice of the Year competitions give participants recognition for their hard work and skills, providing a great opportunity for lecturers, employers, industry leaders and manufacturers to get involved and support the next generation of electricians.

Best of luck to Conal for the final on 24 September.

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