FMB NEWS
FMB NI REGIONAL PRESIDENT STEVEN NICKELL JOINED THE JUDGING PANEL OF AN INAUGURAL CONSTRUCTION DESIGN COMPETITION FOR STUDENTS AT THE LISBURN CAMPUS OF SERC… Building skills, confidence & careers
What happens when you give technical construction students a real-world challenge, a tight deadline and the chance to showcase their talent? You get innovation, teamwork, determination and a glimpse into the future of the construction industry. Competitions like SkillBuild, delivered by CITB, are helping to raise standards across construction education by giving students opportunities to test themselves beyond the classroom. The real value lies in the experience gained along the way. For students, these competitions are about far much more than winning. They provide an opportunity to apply technical knowledge to realistic industry briefs, develop practical problem-solving skills and gain confidence working under pressure. They also help students strengthen the transferable skills employers consistently look for: communication, teamwork, time management, resilience and presentation skills. In Northern Ireland, the further education- led Construction Hub identified growing recognition that technical learners would also benefit from similar industry-focused challenges. Working alongside construction professionals, the idea for an inaugural Construction Design Competition was born. FMB was delighted to be invited along to watch the event unfold at the Lisburn Campus of SERC. The mentors and staff at the college deserve a lot of credit for their pastoral care and positive support for these young professionals. The judges’ perspective: At the end of an intense day, teams presented their proposals to an expert judging panel featuring Barry Neilson OBE, Chief Executive of CITB NI; Fionnuala McKenna, Head of Strategic Development, Construction Futures; and Steven Nickell,
L-R: Fionnuala McKenna, Head of Strategic Development, Construction Futures; Barry Neilson OBE, Chief Executive of CITB NI; and Steven Nickell, FMB NI Regional President.
“The competition pushed students to think like industry professionals, balancing creativity with technical accuracy, sustainability, cost and practicality.”
FMB NI Regional President. The judges were strongly engaged throughout the day and challenged each group with probing questions, encouraging students to justify their design decisions and demonstrate their understanding of real construction considerations. During his time as FMI NI regional president, Steven has been passionate about supporting skills initiatives and encouraging young people to see the exciting opportunities available within the construction industry. A real-world challenge Students were tasked with designing a multi-purpose community centre on a brownfield site, working in teams of three or four. This was not a simple classroom exercise. Teams had to respond to realistic project constraints. The competition pushed students to think like industry professionals, balancing creativity with technical accuracy,
sustainability, cost and practicality. Students quickly discovered that success in construction is not just about technical ability. Collaboration, adaptability and decision-making became just as important as design knowledge. Perhaps most importantly, the event gave students the confidence to trust their abilities and present their ideas to experienced industry leaders. Building the future workforce Events like this play an important role in preparing students for industry. More importantly, they inspire ambition. Students leave with more than certificates or prizes. They leave with experience, confidence, industry connections and a clearer understanding of the opportunities available within construction. The competition concluded with FMB NI Director Gavin McGuire presenting certificates and congratulating participants on their professionalism, creativity and teamwork.
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