Armoy and Dunloy at NEC’s Skills Show

Dunloy’s Dean Boyle, a cnc milling learner with Northern Regional College and Armoy’s Peter Barkley, a mechatronics learner also with Northern Regional College are taking part.

The Skills Show is the UK’s largest skills and careers event and celebrates the importance of skills to economic growth. During the three days of the Skills Show, 50 Northern Ireland learners will compete with 550 of the UK’s most talented apprentices and learners in front of 75,000 visitors to be named the UK’s ’best’ in their skill area.

Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry said: “I wish every competitor the best of luck. It takes hard work, determination and a high level of skill to compete against the UK’s most talented apprentices and learners. Events like this showcase the high levels of talent we possess and celebrate our excellent standards of teaching and learning. Northern Ireland enjoys an impressive track record at skills competitions at regional, national and world level and I am hopeful that this will continue in Birmingham.”

The highlight of the Show is the WorldSkills UK National Competition Finals which take place in 64 skills areas ranging from floristry to mechanical engineering.