Five SRC students selected for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026

Southern Regional College (SRC) is to have more competitors at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 than any other university or college across the UK, with five talented young professionals selected for Team UK ahead of the global event this September.

Known as the "Skills Olympics," WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 takes place from 22-27 September with around 1,500 young people competing from over 80 countries and is expected to attract more than 250,000 visitors, alongside government leaders, global employers and education experts.

Among those flying the flag for Team UK is Caolan McCartan, aged 24, from Camlough, who will compete in the Industry 4.0 category alongside teammate Patrick Sheerin, aged 24. Caolan is currently training with employer Pronto Engineering and studying for his Engineering (Technical Design and Manufacture) Foundation Degree at SRC. Patrick, who has graduated with an Engineering BEng (Hons) degree, is currently employed with AJ Power.

The other three SRC competitors are Oisin McKerr, aged 22, from Lurgan, who will compete in Car Painting having completed his Vehicle Accident Paint Repair Level 3 Apprenticeship with the College and is currently employed with Porters Body Shop; Ruth Douglas, aged 21, from Banbridge, who will compete in Chemical Laboratory Technician having completed her Applied Industrial Sciences Chemical Foundation Degree at SRC last August and is now employed by the Almac Group; and Jonathan Gough, aged 22, from Waringstown, who will compete in Electrical Installation and has undertaken the Electrotechnical (Electrical Installation) Apprenticeship with the College and is currently self-employed.

The five competitors will also be supported by two SRC lecturers travelling to Shanghai as Training Managers for Team UK. Dr Deidre Murray will continue to train Ruth in the Chemical Laboratory Technician specialism, while Stephen Chapman will train Team UK's selected representative in bricklaying.

Each competitor's place on Team UK has come after years of preparation, progressing through WorldSkills UK regional and national competitions before undergoing intensive specialist training both in the UK and abroad. Further high-performance preparation is planned in the months ahead of the Shanghai event.

Ben Blackledge, Chief Executive of WorldSkills UK, said: "Congratulations to Oisin, Ruth, Jonathan, Caolan and Patrick on being selected for Team UK, it is a huge achievement and a proud moment for Northern Ireland."

He added: "At a time when employers are sceptical about employing young people Team UK show just how important it is to have young professionals in the workforce. These young technicians have an incredibly valuable mix of world-class technical skills, impressive employability skills and a mindset to succeed."

Mrs Lee Campbell, Principal and Chief Executive of Southern Regional College, said: "We are incredibly proud of each of these outstanding individuals and their achievement in reaching the global stage."

She added: "To have the highest number of competitors representing the UK is a remarkable accomplishment for the College and highlights the strength of our educational provision. We wish them every success as they take on the world in Shanghai and showcase the very best of Northern Ireland's talent."

WorldSkills is recognised globally as the benchmark of skills excellence, and SRC's representation at this year's event underlines the college's standing as one of the leading providers of vocational and technical education in the UK.