NI Participants Secure Accolades At WorldSkills UK

Some of Northern Ireland's best young apprentices and students in construction and the built environment have been recognised at WorldSkills UK Live.

The event took place last weekend at the NEC Birmingham, serving as the backdrop for the National Finals of WorldSkills UK's Competitions.

WorldSkills UK Competitions equips young people with the world-class skills needed to help UK businesses compete better globally.  


More than 500 apprentices and students competed in over 70 different disciplines – battling to be the best in the UK. They were also hoping to secure the opportunity to represent the UK at the WorldSkills Finals, known as the 'skills Olympics' in Shanghai in 2021.


Six Northern Ireland competitors were successful at the event, achieving two Gold Medals, two Silver Medals, one Bronze Medal and one Highly Commended.

A full list of NI winners and their disciplines is available below: 


• Carpentry - Thomas Ellison - Belfast Metropolitan College - Highly Commended


• Landscape Gardening - Marc Brown - CAFRE - Bronze


• Plastering & Drywall Systems - Brendan Duddy - North West Regional College - Gold


• Plastering & Drywall Systems - Kalem Kerrigan - Errigal Contracts - Silver


• Wall & Floor Tiling - Dylan Calvert - Southern Regional College - Gold


• Wall & floor Tiling - Dylan Gillanders - Southern Regional College - Silver


• Wall & Floor Tiling - Aaron Gillespie - Southern Regional College - Bronze.

(CM/JG)