SERC School of Built Environment

Dunlop Awards presented to Built Environment Students at SERC

Students recognised for their performance on programmes related to the Built Environment vocations.

Ten (10) students from South Eastern Regional College (SERC) have been recognised for their performance on programmes related to the Built Environment vocations.

The Edwin and Alan Dunlop Construction Awards are a celebration of student success supported by Dunlop Group Enterprises Ltd. The business founders, brothers Edwin and Alan Dunlop, both studied at the former Bangor Technical College. The duo maintained strong links with the college – now SERC - in its many transformations over the years, both through recruiting students and sponsoring awards.

Speaking at the Awards ceremony, Trevor Breadon, Head of School of Construction & the Built Environment said, “Nominations were put forward by lecturers and then reviewed by a panel of judges who considered each nominee against a criteria of attendance and effort; performance on course of study; contribution to the course and/or workplace; and personal development and resilience. The recipients excelled in these areas. I congratulate you all and wish you continued success.”

Stephen Dunlop and Susan Montgomery, both Directors at Dunlop Group Enterprises Ltd said, “We are delighted to support SERC with the Edwin and Alan Dunlop Construction Awards. Our company has a long history with the college, and it is both reassuring and wonderful to hear about the next generation of students and apprentices who are honing their skills and gaining the necessary qualifications that will put them in the best position for careers in the construction industry. Congratulations to all recipients of these Awards. I encourage you to keep learning and wish you every success for your future.”

Susan Montgomery and Stephen Dunlop presented Edwin & Alan Dunlop Construction Awards which included £250 gift vouchers to:

Lindsay Faulkner (22, from Bangor) for Fire and Security from the Level 3 Apprenticeship NI in Fire & Security Systems at Newtownards Campus.

Jennifer Gilchrist (18, from Downpatrick) for Construction Studies, from the Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment at Downpatrick Campus.

Conaire Small (20, from Newcastle) for Motor Vehicle, from the Level 3 Apprenticeship NI in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (Light) at Downpatrick Campus.

Fergal Gilmore (22, from Portaferry) for Brickwork, from the Level 2 Apprenticeship NI in Bricklaying at Newtownards Campus.

David Johnston (21, from Saintfield) for Plastering, from the Level 3 Apprenticeship NI in Plastering at Lisburn Campus.

David Magee (20, from Royal Hillsborough) for Joinery, from the Level 3 Apprenticeship NI in Carpentry & Joinery at Lisburn Campus.

Mason Hamilton (19, from Dundonald for Construction Maintenance, from the Level 2 Traineeship in Maintenance Operations (Construction) at Newtownards Campus.

Carl Hughes (28, from Killyleagh) for Plumbing, from the Level 3 Apprenticeship NI in Plumbing at Newtownards Campus.

James Reilly (20, from Belfast) for Refrigeration from the Level 3 Apprenticeship NI in Refrigeration at Lisburn Campus.

Trevor Breadon accepted the award for Niamh Allen (28, from Ballynahinch) for Electrical Installation from the Level 3 Apprenticeship NI Electrical Installation at Lisburn Campus, who was unable to attend the ceremony due to work commitments.

Construction Competition Tests Student Skills

Level 3 Construction and Civil Engineering students from SERC Bangor and Lisburn impressed judges in a construction design competition, held recently in SERC Lisburn Campus.
Developed to provide FE Construction students with similar extra-curricular opportunities to trainees and apprentices in trade areas, the competition challenged students to produce design specifications and sketches for a multi-purpose community centre. During the competition, students showcased their technical, problem solving and self-management skills through working in groups to complete the technical project, considering constraints such as maximum footprint, accessibility, budget and subsoil ground conditions.

Students then presented their completed project plans to a judging panel, which included Barry Neilson OBE (Chief Executive CITB NI), Steven Nickell (FMB NI Regional President) and Fionnuala McKenna (Head of Strategic Development Construction Futures).

SERC Construction Hub Manager Kieran McKenna says “I am delighted with the effort made by all students. The judges commented on how well the teams worked together in their groups, and the standard of presenting and communicating by the students was highly commended.”

First Place Group:

Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment student Cerys Power (17) from Moira.
Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment student Aimee Armstrong (19) from Lisburn.
Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment student Rebecca Cash (19) from Saintfield.
Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Civil Engineering student Jude Montgomery (18) from Crumlin.

Second Place Group:

Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Civil Engineering student Max Elliott (17) from Banbridge.
Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Civil Engineering student Christopher Jones (18) from Belfast.
Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Civil Engineering student Rahad Daryakesh Zirak (17) from Belfast.
Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Civil Engineering student Joe McKeown (19) from Lisburn.

Third Place Group:

Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment student Eva Johnston (18) from Bangor.
Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Civil Engineering student James Steele (18) from Donaghadee.
Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Civil Engineering student Ella Hollinger (18) from Bangor.
Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Civil Engineering student Joel Brown (17) from Lisburn.

Gavin McGuire (NI FMB Director) presented students with awards, with first place winning a £150 Amazon gift voucher, second place winning a £100 Amazon gift voucher, and third place winning a £50 Amazon gift voucher. Two other participating student groups were also commended for their presentations to the judges, which included:

Commended Group 1:

Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Civil Engineering student Elliott Coffey (17) from Bangor.
Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment student Anthony O’prey (17) from Kircubbin.
Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment student Toby Fulton (17) from Millisle.
Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment student Harry Kennedy (17) from Greyabbey.

Commended Group 2:

Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment student Dean Johnston (20) from Belfast.
Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment student Alfie Wilson (17) from Belfast.
Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment student Adam Clifford (18) from Lisburn.
Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment student Matthew Harrison (24) from Dromore.

Gavin McGuire then gave closing remarks, bringing the inaugural competition to a close.

SERC Electrical Installation Students Gain Industry Insight at CEF Tech Talk

A group of second-year Level 3 Electrical Installation apprentices from South Eastern Regional College’s (SERC), Lisburn Campus, recently had the opportunity to expand their industry knowledge by attending a specialist Tech Talk event hosted by City Electrical Factors (CEF) at the Culloden Estate & Spa.

The event focused on Amendment 4 of the Electrical Wiring Regulations, providing students with up-to-date information on the latest changes shaping the electrical industry. This hands-on learning experience is particularly valuable for students preparing to enter the workforce, where understanding current regulations is essential for both safety and compliance.

As part of the event, students engaged with leading product manufacturers who showcased the latest electrical innovations. The exhibition-style setup allowed students to explore new technologies, gather insights directly from industry experts, and build awareness of products they are likely to encounter in their future careers. The event also offered a lighter touch, with students receiving complimentary electrical-themed goodie bags and having the chance to win prizes.

Each attendee was awarded a certificate recognising 3.5 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD), an important addition to their professional portfolios and a reflection of their commitment to ongoing learning.

Christopher Patterson, Electrical Installation Lecturer at SERC, highlighted the importance of the experience. He said, “Attending the CEF Tech Talk gave our students invaluable exposure to the latest industry regulations and developments. It’s essential that they are familiar with Amendment 4 as they move into employment, and events like this allow them to connect classroom learning with real-world practice while engaging directly with key manufacturers.”

The visit underscores SERC’s commitment to providing students with meaningful industry engagement opportunities, ensuring they are well-prepared for the evolving demands of the electrical sector

Podium Places for SERC at SkillBuild NI Regional Qualifier Competition 2026

Students from South Eastern Regional College (SERC) are celebrating their wins at the Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB NI) annual SkillBuild NI Regional Qualifier Competition 2026 hosted at Southern Regional College’s (SRC), Greenbank Campus in Newry.

SERC had 16 competitors representing the college in eight of the 11 disciplines and came away with four first places, one second place and two third place wins.

In the Fire Installation competition, team SERC lifted all podium places led by 1st place, Ryan Tang (Bangor) employed by BPS; 2nd place, Owen Brady (Lisburn) employed by Elmwood Protection Services; and 3rd place, Milo Turkington (Lurgan) employed by Northtech. All three apprentices are completing the Level 3 Apprenticeship NI in Fire & Security.

First places also went to Fergal Gilmore (Portaferry) in Bricklaying, a Level 2 Apprenticeship NI in Bricklaying employed by JP Construction; Joshua Sanderson (Newcastle) in Electrical Installation, a Level 3 Apprenticeship NI in Electrical employed by Irwins M&E; and David Johnston (Saintfield) in Plastering, a Level 3 Apprenticeship NI in Plastering employed by Andrew Gill.

The final 3rd place on the podium went to Matthew Rutherford (Bangor) for Carpentry, a Level 3 Apprenticeship NI in Carpentry & Joinery employed by Gareth McCartney.

Also to be commended and celebrated were nine more competitors from SERC who had reached the Regional Qualifier Competition of SkillBuild. These included,in Cabinet Making - David Magee (Hillsborough) employed by GR Contracts Dromara, and Taylor Simpson (Lisburn) employed by Timbermark Lisburn - both Level 3 Apprenticeship NI in Carpentry & Joinery; Joinery – Aaron Emerson (Craigavon) employed by HICS Properties Ltd Irvinestown – Level 3 Diploma in Carpentry & Joinery; Carpentry - Shea Murphy (Castlewellan) employed by Niall Murphy - Level 2 Apprenticeship in Carpentry and Joinery; and Odhran Barlow (Loughinisland) employed by Magorrian Construction – Level 3 Apprenticeship NI in Carpentry & Joinery; Plumbing - Alfie Carey (Lisburn) employed by JF Mechanical - Level 2 NI Traineeship in Plumbing; and Fire Installation – Daniel Bell (Newtownards) employed by Specialised Fire & Security; Cameron Jones (Newtownards) employed by Diamond Fire & Security; and Samuel Gilmore (Comber) employed by Specialised Fire & Security - all completing Level 3 Apprenticeship NI Fire & Security.

Francis Rice, Principal Lecturer, School of the Built Environment at SERC said, “We are absolutely thrilled with the wins for SERC at the SkillBuild NI Qualifier. Congratulations to all the winners and to those who made it to the regional qualifier, an achievement which we also celebrate.

“We are of course immensely proud of our SERC team. To achieve four 1st places, one 2nd and two 3rd place wins across five of the eight competition areas that we had entrants is amazing. We wish everyone continued success if selected to represent Northern Ireland in the SkillBuild UK National Final.”

Francis concluded, “I would also like to congratulate and say thank you to all the lecturing teams across SERC who have put in extra time teaching and mentoring the apprentices for this competition, and to all the employers who have supported our students’ participation.”

Over 100 of the brightest recruits and top performers within construction apprenticeship programmes from across Northern Ireland competed against each other in the SkillBuild Qualifier. The competition is designed to test skills, technique and ability within tight timeframes, and identifies the top performers in 11 different trade areas within construction apprenticeship programmes from across Northern Ireland. It is a showcase of the wealth of talent, professionalism, and the brightest recruits throughout the industry.

The SkillBuild NI Regional Competition is part of a regional qualifier and those who took podium places may have the opportunity to represent Northern Ireland in the SkillBuild UK national final held 17-19 November 2026 in Milton Keynes. 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.

Barry Neilson OBE, Chief Executive CITB NI, said, “Congratulations to all the apprentices who took part in the SkillBuild NI Regional Qualifier Competition 2026. The competition is a fantastic opportunity for apprentices to showcase their skills, connect with other like-minded individuals and demonstrate their commitment to building a career in the construction industry. Events like this play an important role in encouraging and developing the next generation of talent, which is vital for supporting industry growth and shaping the future workforce. I would like to thank our partners CITB (GB) and SRC for their continued support, the Department for Economy and industry sponsors and we look forward to the SkillBuild UK National Finals in November.”

🔌⚡ Skills Competition Success – Level 2 Electrical Traineeship (Newtownards) ⚡🔌

Congratulations to our Level 2 Electrical Traineeship students in Newtownards who recently showcased their skills in a fantastic in-house competition 👏

The standard of work was high, with students demonstrating excellent technical ability, precision, and professionalism throughout.

🏆 1st Place: Mark Jamison
🥈 2nd Place: Reece Peak Bellerby
🥉 3rd Place: Abigail Miller

Well done to all participants for their hard work and dedication- you should all be very proud of your achievements 💡

Keep up the great work as you continue to develop your skills for a bright future in the electrical industry. ⚙️

SERC Gears Up for Lecale Rally with Student Information Event in Downpatrick

When two motor rally champions drove onto SERC Downpatrick Campus in their competition cars this week, they attracted attention from students and staff as well as the local First Citizen.

Ballynahinch and District Motor Club worked with the SERC engagement team to arrange a visit to the college in advance of the rally championship event planned for Downpatrick this summer. The Motor Club is partnering with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to bring the Carryduff Forklift Lecale Rallye event to the town and wanted to engage with Motorsport and Motor Vehicle students and apprentices at SERC.

Newry Mourne and Down District Chairman, Councillor Philip Campbell, joined the students who gathered from different SERC campuses, to get a good look at the rally cars and hear from champion drivers Jonny Greer and William Creighton. The day included plenty of opportunities to learn about careers in motorsport as well as about the teamwork involved in rally events, alongside a presentation “Keep the Race in Its Place” that highlighted the importance of responsible driving, and the risks of unsafe behaviour on public roads.

At the end of the event, Stuart Parker, SERC lecturer in Motorsport Engineering, commented,

“The day has been a major success for all SERC Motorsport students. Both our Level 3 and Foundation Degree students found the talks of great interest, and we were delighted that the current British Rally Champion William Creighton has taken the time out to mix and chat with our students. It must be said that getting up close to the Rally 2 GR Yaris was the icing on the cake and was, in keeping with our emphasis on real-life learning at SERC, a fantastic way for everyone to appreciate the technology involved.”

Chairman of Ballynahinch and District Motor Club, Brian Crawford said,

“Everyone was very happy to share their experiences in the world of motor sport with the students at SERC Campuses, and I hope that it might be beneficial to them in some small way in their future choices. We are very grateful to the lecturers and all involved for the enthusiasm and hospitality that was shown to us on the day.”

Head of Engagement and Development at SERC, Catherine Shipman added,

“We are delighted to have worked in partnership with Brian Crawford and the Ballynahinch and District Motor Club to make this event possible. Rallye Lecale represents a fantastic opportunity to celebrate motorsport locally, and it’s been a great opportunity today to also showcase the talent, ambition and potential of our students. It’s been wonderful to welcome partners and champions of the sport to our Downpatrick campus and provide our learners with an engaging, real-world experience that connects directly to future career pathways.”

The Rallye Lecale event, a round of the Brown and Brown NI Rally Championship, takes place on 25 July.

Construction at Cross-Border Industry Event

Role models provide encouragement and inspiration for construction students.

Three students from SERC have gained valuable industry insight and inspiration after attending a prestigious Women in Construction site visit and seminar, held in Dundalk recently.

The Level 3 Construction and the Built Environment students, Cerys Power (Moria), Aimee Armstrong (Lisburn) and Rebecca Cash (Saintfield), participated in the exclusive cross-border event, which included a guided site visit to the new GAA Stadium in Dundalk followed by an engaging seminar at Dundalk Institute of Technology. The initiative was delivered in partnership between Women in Construction Ireland and the Women in Construction Network (Northern Ireland), alongside industry partners including Ganson Construction, the GAA and LGFA.

The event offered the students a unique opportunity to explore a major live construction project and gain first-hand understanding of the diverse career pathways available within the industry. Once complete, the new Dundalk Stadium will boast a 14,000-capacity arena at the Inner Relief Road, becoming a landmark sporting venue and a significant infrastructure development for County Louth.

Kim Johnston, Lecturer in Construction at SERC said, “During the site visit, the SERC students observed construction activity up close, gaining practical insight into project delivery, engineering coordination and site management. The experience highlighted the scale and complexity of modern construction projects and reinforced classroom learning through real-world application.”

Following the site visit, the students attended a seminar featuring a range of influential speakers from across the construction and engineering sectors. Among them was Rebecca Lamb Fagan, LGFA County Louth player and engineer, who shared her dual career journey, alongside Ganson Graduate Project Manager, Jodie Duffy, who discussed her progression within the industry.

This cross-border initiative underscores the commitment across the island of Ireland to encourage greater female participation in construction, promoting inclusivity and supporting the next generation of talent.

SERC Scoop Top Place in NI Wide PBLX Competition

First place for Fire & Security System Apprentices in the NI Intercollege Project Based Learning Exposition (PBLX) Competition.

A team of Apprentices from SERC have lifted first place in the NI Intercollege Project Based Learning Exposition (PBLX) Competition, beating off entrants from five Further and Higher Education Colleges across Northern Ireland.

The Apprentice team, won for their Security Engineering & Resource Centre project in the Level 3 and above category. Pitching on the day and lifting the top title were Harry Johnston (20) from Newtownards, Specialised Fire Security, Zeki Kaya (20) from Newtownards, Specialised Fire Security Fernando Gomes Da Silva (25), from Magherafelt, Radio Contact, Corbin Wilson (20) from Donaghcloney, G4S, all Level 3 Apprenticeship NI in Fire and Security Systems. Missing from the final pitch due to work commitments, was fellow team member Lindsay Faulkner (22) from Bangor employed by BPS.

Another SERC team, Little Helpers, pitched by Lewis Nickell (27), Peter Church (45) and Ben Hartley (24), all from Bangor and all Restart Education students were runners-up in the Level 2 and under category at the Intercollege PBLX.

Robin Hamill, Fire & Security Lecturer at SERC said, “The Apprentices wowed the judges with their Security Engineering & Resource Centre project, an apprentice-led training facility designed to provide hands-on, industry-aligned learning in modern security technologies. Robin added, “This was the first year that the Fire & Security Apprentices had ever taken part in the in the PBLX competitions. We were thrilled to win the Intercampus title, but to lift the Intercollege title has been the icing on the cake for a very busy year for both the students and the lecturers involved in the Fire and Security programmes across SERC.

“We couldn’t have done it without the support of the apprentices’ employers and support from the industry. A special mention must go to Hikvision, and their generous donation of equipment, across all our sites, which means that our apprentices and those upskilling from the industry, will be trained on the very latest equipment, essentially making them work-ready for the industry.”

Construction Students Gain First-Hand Insight at Landmark Weavers Cross Development

Our BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment students gained valuable real-world experience during a site visit to the transformative Weavers Cross development in Belfast recently.

The visit was facilitated through the Northern Ireland Construction Industry’s annual Open Doors campaign when the industry, literally, opens its doors for workplace tours and interactive sessions. Open Doors is designed to inspire the next generation and encourage more young people to consider a career in the sector.

Coordinated by Steven McGimpsey of MRP, the visit allowed SERC students and lecturers to explore one of Northern Ireland’s most ambitious regeneration projects. Weavers Cross situated beside the newly opened Grand Central Station in Belfast is set to become a vibrant new city neighbourhood, combining innovative architecture, sustainable solutions and dynamic public spaces. As a major driver of economic and social transformation, the project is widely regarded as one of the most significant development opportunities in Northern Ireland over the next 15 years.

The visit commenced at Platform within Halt (formerly the Europa Bus centre), where students received an overview of the project alongside a comprehensive site safety briefing from the MRP project team. Expert guest speakers from Todd Architects and Caldwell Consulting Engineers (M&E) delivered engaging presentations, showcasing the journey of a major development from concept design through to construction and delivery.

Students also took part in an interactive team-building challenge designed to enhance key skills such as leadership, communication and problem-solving essential attributes for a successful career in the construction industry.

Following a complimentary lunch, the group participated in a guided walking tour of the development area. Equipped with the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), students experienced the scale and ambition of the Weavers Cross project first-hand, gaining a deeper understanding of the complexity and coordination required in modern construction.

Kim Johnston said, "This was a fantastic opportunity for our students to get a glimpse into the scale and potential of this exciting development.” She added, “The visit highlighted the diverse career pathways available within the sector, from design and engineering to project management and planning. By connecting students directly with industry professionals, the experience provided invaluable insight into the many routes into construction and the exciting opportunities it offers.”

Kim concluded, “The visit underscores SERC’s commitment to providing students with meaningful industry engagement opportunities that bridge classroom learning with real-world application.”

SERC SkillBuild NI Regional Competitors Announced

Seventeen participants – apprentices and trainees - from across SERC will be competing in eight disciplines.
The team from South Eastern Regional College (SERC) is gearing up for the annual CITB SkillBuild NI Regional Competition, which will be hosted on 19 May at Southern Regional College, Greenbank Campus, Newry.

SkillBuild is delivered by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB GB) and showcases some of the brightest talent in construction. Supported by 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.

Francis Rice, Principal Lecturer, School of Built Environment said, “We are delighted to be taking part in the annual CITB NI Regional Competition and hope to build on the success we enjoyed last year when we hosted the competition at SERC’s Downpatrick Campus.

“We have a strong team of 17 participants – apprentices and trainees - from across SERC who will be competing in eight disciplines.”

Francis added, “Competition test pieces are designed to challenge the ability of the competitors to follow detailed instructions, produce accurate and neat work outputs, be economical with materials while working to strict timescales – all essential requirements needed for today’s construction industry. It is a balancing act, and the pressure will be on each student to evidence what they know and what they can do and deliver on the day.”

SERC apprentices and trainees will be competing in eight of the eleven trade areas being tested on the day:

Cabinet Making - David Magee (Hillsborough) employed by GR Contracts Dromara; Taylor Simpson (Lisburn) employed by Timbermark Lisburn - both Level 3 Apprenticeship NI in Carpentry & Joinery.

Plastering - David Johnston (Saintfield) employed by Andrew Gill – Level 3 Apprenticeship NI in Plastering.

Bricklaying - Fergal Gilmore (Portaferry) employed by JP Construction - Level 2 Apprenticeship NI in Bricklaying.

Joinery – Aaron Emerson (Craigavon) employed by Hics Properties Ltd Irvinestown – Level 3 Diploma in Carpentry & Joinery.

Carpentry - Matthew Rutherford (Bangor) employed by Gareth McCartney; Shea Murphy (Castlewellan) employed by Niall Murphy - Level 2 Apprenticeship in Carpentry and Joinery; and Odhran Barlow (Loughinisland) employed by Magorrian Construction – Level 3 Apprenticeship NI in Carpentry & Joinery.

Electrical – Josh Sanderson (Newcastle) employed by Irwins M&E - Level 3 Apprenticeship NI in Electrical.

Plumbing - Alfie Carey (Lisburn) employed by JF Mechanical; and Matthew Dalzell (Magheralin) employed by Lindsay Mechanical LTD - Level 2 NI Traineeship in Plumbing.

Fire & Security Installation – Daniel Bell (Newtownards) employed by Specialised Fire & Security; Cameron Jones (Newtownards) employed by Diamond Fire & Security; Owen Brady (Lisburn) employed by Elmwood Protection Services; Ryan Tang (Bangor) employed by BPS; Milo Turkington (Lurgan) employed by Northtech; and Samuel Gilmore (Comber) employed by Specialised Fire & Security - all completing Level 3 Apprenticeship NI Fire & Security.

Francis concluded, “SkillBuild is an exciting day, for the competitors, the lecturing teams, the mentors and for the employers in the different trade areas. We wish all competitors a successful and enjoyable day in this prestigious competition.”

The CITB SkillBuild NI Regional Competition will commence at 9am on 19 May. Following the judging, winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Southern Regional College.

Good luck everyone!