Write a commentTwo science students, Adam Purvis and Sarah Casey, from Southern Regional College have qualified to compete in the WorldSkills UK Final in Laboratory Technicians in the NEC in Birmingham in November.
WorldSkills UK is the largest skills, apprenticeships and careers event and it aims to boost the technical skills, mindset and employability of students and apprentices through their participation in skills competitions.
Adam Purvis, from Stewartstown, won the WorldSkills Laboratory Technician NI Regional Heat which took place in June and Sarah Casey, from Dungannon, came 2nd place in the same competition. This was the first WorldSkills NI Regional Heat for Laboratory Technicians and was hosted at SRC, the only Life Sciences Hub for Further Education in Northern Ireland.
Adam is completing the Higher Level Apprenticeship in Applied Industrial Sciences (Chemical Pathway) at Southern Regional College - Newry Campus and is employed with Almac in Craigavon.
Sarah Casey is currently completing the Higher Level Apprenticeship in Applied Industrial Sciences (Life Sciences Pathway) at Southern Regional College – Portadown Campus and is employed with Randox in Crumlin.
Brian Doran, Chief Executive at SRC said “We are delighted that both Adam and Sarah have qualified for the WorldSkills UK Final being held in Birmingham later this year. This is a fantastic achievement and competing on the WorldSkills platform is a unique opportunity for students across the sector to showcase their technical and analytical abilities. Both Adam and Sarah have performed exceptionally well and we wish them every success when they compete in the final.”
The laboratory technician competition is based on real life scenarios in science that demonstrate technical competence in the use of complex instrumentation, laboratory equipment and skills. The competition is designed to reflect the work of a laboratory technician and tests their skills in techniques and procedures to solve practical problems through analysis, tests and measurements while ensuring safe and ethical working practices. Laboratory technicians work in diverse settings which include healthcare, industry, research and educational institutions.
