Northern Regional College celebrates success at Skillbuild NI 2025 inter-campus heats

Bench Joinery (L-R back row) Rachel Dorovatas, Director of Industry Training and Support at CITB NI, Mark Woods, Ethan Scates, Charlie Fleck and Patrick Wallace, Principal Lecturer, Traineeships at Northern Regional College.

(Front row) Daniel Copeland, Allie Conway and Jamie McMullan

Forty five Apprentices and Trainees from Northern Regional College showcased their talents at the annual inter-campus heats of SkillBuild NI 2025, the UK’s largest multi-trade competition for young students and apprentices.

Governed by the Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB NI), SkillBuild NI provides a platform for participants to demonstrate their expertise across various construction-related disciplines.

The competitions for joinery, carpentry, cabinet making, plumbing, and electrical installation were hosted at the College’s Newtownabbey campus, while the brickwork competition took place at the Farm Lodge campus in Ballymena. These heats mark the first step for competitors aiming to qualify for the Northern Ireland regional heats at South Eastern Regional College in May, with the potential to reach the UK national finals later in the year.

David Russell, Curriculum Area Manager for Construction in the Department of Advanced Technologies at Northern Regional College, commended all participants for their dedication and hard work, highlighting the vital role of employer support in the apprentices' development.

“The SkillBuild NI competition is a fantastic opportunity for apprentices and trainees to put their skills to the test in a competitive environment.  We are incredibly proud of our students and their achievements, and we look forward to seeing them progress in their respective fields.”

Patrick Wallace, Principal Lecturer for Traineeships at Northern Regional College said:

“This prestigious event not only challenges participants to showcase their technical abilities but also helps them develop confidence, problem-solving skills, and a professional mindset. Competitions like SkillBuild NI play a crucial role in preparing young professionals for successful careers, and we look forward to seeing them continue to grow, refine their craft, and make valuable contributions to their respective industries.”

Each competitor received a participation certificate, while the top three in each category were awarded Screwfix vouchers in recognition of their achievements.

Rachel Dorovatas, Director of Industry Training and Support at CITB NI, praised the high standards of skill and training demonstrated at the event.

“We are continually impressed by the talent and commitment of the apprentices and trainees in the Inter Campus College Competitions across the college and training network. We congratulate all participants with special recognition given to those who excelled in their respective trade categories. Their exceptional performance may provide an opportunity to further showcase their talents at the upcoming SkillBuild NI Regional Competition, scheduled to take place in Downpatrick this May”

The winners of the 2025 SkillBuild NI inter-campus heats at Northern Regional College are:

Electrical Installation

(L-R) Robbie Buchanan, Patrick Wallace, Principal Lecturer, Traineeships at Northern Regional College, Jeremiasz Guzik, Rachel Dorovatas, Director of Industry Training and Support at CITB NI and Jonas Lear  

Electrical Installation (L-R) Lewis Armour, Patrick Wallace Principal Lecturer, Traineeships at Northern Regional College, Emeka Onwuka, Lewis Armour and Rachel Dorovatas, Director of Industry Training and Support at CITB NI

1st: Emeka Onwuka (Newtownabbey Campus)

2nd: Lewis Armour (Newtownabbey Campus)

3rd: Josh Strowger (Ballymena Campus)

Plumbing

Plumbing

Plumbing (L-R): Rachel Dorovatas, Director of Industry Training and Support at CITB NI, Daniel Nicholson, Adam Barron, Dean Patton and Patrick Wallace, Principal Lecturer Traineeship at Northern Regional College

Front: Micheál Hughes, Ewan Hood and Kyle Stewart

Plumbing Winners: Ewan Hood, Patrick Wallace, Principal Lecturer, Traineeships at Northern Regional College, Micheál Hughes, Rachel Dorovatas, Director of Industry Training and Support at CITB NI and Daniel Nicholson

1st: Micheál Hughes (Ballymena Campus)

2nd: Ewan Hood (Ballymena Campus)

3rd: Daniel Nicholson (Newtownabbey Campus)

Carpentry

Carpentry

1st: Jeremiasz Guzik (Coleraine Campus)

2nd: Jonas Lear (Coleraine Campus)

3rd: Robbie Buchanan (Ballymena Campus

Joinery

Joinery

Bench Joinery (L-R) Allie Conway, Patrick Wallace, Principal Lecturer, Traineeships at Northern Regional College, Jamie McMullan, Rachel Dorovatas, Director of Industry Training and Support at CITB NI and Charlie Fleck

1st: Jamie McMullan (Newtownabbey Campus)

2nd: Charlie Fleck (Ballymena Campus)

3rd: Allie Conway (Newtownabbey Campus)

Cabinet Making

Cabinet Making

Cabinet Making (L-R) Back row: Rachel Dorovatas, Director of Industry Training and Support at CITB NI, Matthew Conly, Matthew Madden, Taylor Lewis, Abbie Foster and Patrick Wallace, Principal Lecturer, Traineeships at Northern Regional College

Front Row: Tony Rocks, Oliver Davison, Lewis Clements and Blake Houston

Cabinet Making (L-R) Taylor Lewis, Patrick Wallace, Principal Lecturer, Traineeships at Northern Regional College, Matthew Conly, Rachel Dorovatas, Director of Industry Training and Support at CITB NI and Matthew Madden

1st: Matthew Conly (Newtownabbey Campus)

2nd: Matthew Madden (Newtownabbey Campus)

3rd: Taylor Lewis (Newtownabbey Campus)

Brickwork

Brickwork

1st place Brickwork student Daniel Beckett pictured with Gayle Beckett, CITB NI Project Manager at the College’s annual inter-campus heats of Skillbuild NI 2025

1st: Daniel Beckett (Ballymena Campus)

2nd place Brickwork winner Joel Deans pictured with Gayle Beckett, CITB NI Project Manager at the College’s annual inter-campus heats of Skillbuild NI 2025

2nd: Joel Deans (Ballymena Campus)

3rd place Brickwork winner Pawel Bogdan pictured with Gayle Beckett, CITB NI Project Manager at the College’s annual inter-campus heats of Skillbuild NI 2025

3rd: Pawel Bogdan (Ballymena Campus)

To find out more about the Traineeships and Apprenticeships available at Northern Regional College, visit nrc.ac.uk for further details.