College Hosts Inter-Campus Engineering Skills Competition

SERC held its fourth annual inter-campus engineering skills competition at the Lisburn Campus recently.

Apprentices from across the College tested their skills against each other in a day-long test to manufacture components using industry-based skills in milling, turning, fabrication and welding. Marks were awarded by a team of SERC tutors for accurate measurements, overall quality of work produced, and ability to work within the timeframes, efficient use of resources and health and safety.

Apprentices, David Morgan (Dunmurry) and John Lavelle (Belfast) were celebrating when they beat off stiff competition from fellow students to claim the welding and fabrication categories respectively. While George Stewart (Carrickfergus) and Kyle Mackie (Newtownards) took the top spot in the milling and turning categories.

Ivan Kelly, SERC Engineering lecturer said, “Congratulations to the winners and indeed all the students who took part. The competition was challenging but the students surprised themselves with their skill levels when put to the test. Competitions like this enhances their skills and knowledge for work in the industry and contributes to their learning experience, improving their confidence, whilst providing them the opportunity to test their skills against their peers.”

He added, “We would like to thank all the supporters for the competition especially the local businesses who supplied prizes, Modern Machinery Services, DE Services, Welders Choice and Lamont Industrial.   Huge thanks also to the engineering team at SERC for all their hard work which ensures the competition runs smoothly.”

Award winners were as follows:

• SERC Engineering Apprentice George Stewart from Carrickfergus took home first prize in the Milling category at SERC’s Inter-Campus Engineering Skills Competition.  
• SERC Engineering Apprentice Nathan McCourt from Libsurn took home second prize in the Milling category at SERC’s Inter-Campus Engineering Skills Competition.
• SERC Engineering Apprentice Kyle Mackie from Newtownards took home first prize in the Turning category at SERC’s Inter-Campus Engineering Skills Competition.
• SERC Engineering Apprentice Adam Uprichard from Belfast took home second prize in the Turning category at SERC’s Inter-Campus Engineering Skills Competition.
• SERC Engineering Apprentice John Lavelle from Belfast took home first prize in the Fabrication category at SERC’s Inter-Campus Engineering Skills Competition.
• SERC Engineering Apprentice Declan Fitzpatrick from Kilkeel took home second prize in the Fabrication category at SERC’s Inter-Campus Engineering Skills Competition.
• SERC Engineering Apprentice Ryan Clendenning from Downpatrick took home third prize in the Fabrication category at SERC’s Inter-Campus Engineering Skills Competition.
• SERC Engineering Apprentice David Morgan from Dunmurry took home first prize in the Welding category at SERC’s Inter-Campus Engineering Skills Competition.
• SERC Engineering Apprentice Ronan McCloskey from Ballymoney took home second prize in the Welding category at SERC’s Inter-Campus Engineering Skills Competition.
• SERC Engineering Apprentice Richard Ferguson from Downpatrick took home third prize in the Welding category at SERC’s Inter-Campus Engineering Skills Competition.