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Belfast Met students build career success at SkillBuild Regional Qualifier
Three students from Belfast Met have been awarded top spots at the recent Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB NI) annual SkillBuild NI Regional Qualifier Competition 2025 competition held this week at South Eastern Regional College (SERC), Downpatrick campus.
Over 100 of the best talent and top performers within construction apprenticeship programmes from across Northern Ireland competed against each other to win in categories such including Brickwork, Carpentry, Electrical Installation, Plumbing, Joinery and Wall & Floor Tiling.
The three Belfast Met students who were awarded first place are:
Ewan Forsythe: Electrical Installation (1st Place)
Jack Fenton: Plumbing (1st Place)
Charlie McCready: Security Systems (1st Place)
Belfast Met dominated the Security Systems category with students Antaine McNicholl and Jack Patterson walking away with second and third place respectively.
The SkillBuild NI Regional Competition is part of a regional qualifier, which means that Ewan, Jack and Charlie may have the opportunity to represent Northern Ireland in the SkillBuild UK national final taking place later this year.
SkillBuild is delivered by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB GB) and showcases some of the brightest talent in construction. Supported by the Department for the Economy and local construction companies, the competition provides an opportunity to showcase the high level of skills and the impressive talent within the workforce, as well as raising the status and standards of professional and technical education and training.
Congratulating the students, Belfast Met’s interim Principal and Chief Executive Damian Duffy said:
“This is a fantastic competition and a wonderful way for our students to showcase their talent and skills. I have no doubt that our three first class students – Ewan Forsythe, Jack Fenton and Charlie McCready – will go on to become top performers in their respective trades. The College is proud of their efforts and those of all our students who took part in the qualifier.”
Barry Neilson OBE, Chief Executive CITB NI, said:
“Huge congratulations to all the apprentices who took part in the SkillBuild NI Regional Competition 2025. This competition is an opportunity for young people to meet with other like-minded people, who are dedicated to being involved in the future direction of the industry. It is also an opportunity to encourage and continue to develop the work force of the future – this is crucial for industry growth and shaping the future. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our partners CITB (GB) and SERC and look forward to the SkillBuild UK National Finals in November.”
For further details on CITB NI support for apprenticeships and employers visit www.citbni.org.uk. Follow CITBNI on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn #SkillBuildNI2025. For further details on SkillBuild please visit www.goconstruct.org
Jack Fenton 1st Place Plumbing Skillbuild NI
Ewan Forsythe 1st Place Electrical Installation Skillbuild NI
Charlie McCready 1st Place Security Installation Skillbuild NI
Antaine McNicholl 2nd Place Security Installation Skillbuild NI
