SKILLBUILD NI
CARPENTRY APPRENTICE JERMEMIASZ GUZIK HAS BEEN NAMED AS OVERALL YOUNG APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR AT THE CITB NI EVENT HELD IN SERC’S NEWRY CAMPUS ON MAY 19… SkillBuild NI Regional Qualifier 2026
More than 100 of the brightest recruits and top performers within construction apprenticeship programmes across Northern Ireland have competed against each other in the SkillBuild NI Regional Qualifier Competition 2026. Hosted by the Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB NI) in partnership with CITB GB and South Eastern Regional College (SERC), the event was held at SERC’s Greenbank Campus in Newry on May 19. Apprentices competed in the categories of Bricklaying, Carpentry, Drylining, Furniture & Cabinet Making, Joinery, Plastering, Wall & Floor Tiling, Painting and Decorating, Plumbing, Electrical Installation, Security and Fire. Alongside 12 category winners, Overall Young Apprentice of the Year - winning the Haldane Fisher Cup – was awarded to Jermemiasz Guzik of Northern Regional College. Jeremiasz is a previous winner of the NI regional heat for Carpentry in Enniskillen in 2024 and Downpatrick in 2025, before scooping gold at the SkillBuild National Final in 2025. He has consistently proved his excellence throughout his apprenticeship, performing at the highest level at SkillBuild and representing all the personal qualities expected from an ambassador of the apprenticeship programme. He has also demonstrated strong leadership qualities through his employment. The Hugh Gettinby Memorial Award for Excellence in Construction Training, awarded to an individual involved in the
L-R: Stuart Campbell, Haldane Fisher (sponsor), and Jermemiasz Guzik (NRC), Overall Young Apprentice of the Year.
training of young people and dedicated to the SkillBuild ethos, was presented to South West College Plumbing & Heating Lecturer Andrew Barrett. Andrew has consistently gone far beyond his teaching role to nurture the skills, confidence and aspirations of young people. His selfless investment of time, expertise and encouragement has transformed student performance and belief. His quiet leadership, genuine care and unwavering support have empowered learners to achieve successes they never thought possible, playing a central role in supporting young people competing in skills competitions at inter campus, regional and UK-wide levels. Andrew also supports pastoral, behavioural and professional development, helping students overcome attendance issues, placement challenges and personal barriers. Supported by the Department for the Economy and local construction companies, SkillBuild 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. Winners from the SkillBuild NI Regional
Qualifier Competition may have the opportunity to represent Northern Ireland in the SkillBuild UK National Finals in November. Barry Neilson OBE, Chief Executive CITB NI, said, “Congratulations to all the apprentices who took part in the SkillBuild NI Regional Qualifier Competition 2026. 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.”
Want to know more? For further details on CITB NI support for apprenticeships and employers, visit www.citbni.org.uk. Follow CITBNI on Facebook, X and LinkedIn #SkillBuild- NI2026. For further details on SkillBuild, please visi t www.goconstruct.org
Caption: L-R: Mark Spence, CEF/Construction Futures (sponsor), and Andrew Barrett (SRC), Hugh Gettinby Award.
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