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Following a tense week of competitions, Southern Regional College has been named as the best performing College in the UK for the second consecutive year at the WorldSkills UK competition. The College topped the leaderboard in both points awarded and for the highest number of medals won.
Raymond Sloan, Principal & CEO of Southern Regional College commented "I am thrilled to announce that Southern Regional College, for the second year running, has soared to the top of the WorldSkills UK leader board, both for the number of points achieved and for the number of medals achieved. This is a testament to the unparalleled dedication and exceptional talents of our students and staff. Through their relentless pursuit of excellence, Team SRC has not only secured the top spot but also earned the highest number of medals. This outstanding achievement reflects the transformative learning environment at Southern Regional College, where innovation, skills development, and teaching excellence converge to shape the employees, leaders and entrepreneurs of tomorrow. As an entire college community, we take pride in this momentous accomplishment, celebrating the hard work and commitment of everyone who studies and works at Southern Regional College”.
SRC students competed across multiple venues in the Greater Manchester area, with results being announced on Friday evening in a glittering awards ceremony held at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, hosted by presenter Edith Bowman.
In a livestreamed ceremony, competitors from the College were revealed as winning the most medals, bringing home twelve medals in total; five gold, three silver and four bronze. Following these outstanding results, the College is able to lead with the title “Best in the UK” for the second consecutive year.
WorldSkills UK is a partnership between education providers, industry and the UK government to champion skill sets and raise industry standards. The competition celebrates the best of young talent and even provides young people with the opportunity to progress to European and WorldSkills competition series.
Students have been undertaking intense training for months prior to the event, taking on additional study and practice sessions under the guidance of the College’s committed lecturing staff. Their commitment and dedication to the competition has been rewarded with an amazing medal tally at this year’s competition. Students showcased their technical expertise and creative problem-solving skills, to excel in their chosen field.
Students from the local area with medal winning performances include:
Winning students and their employers
|
Name |
Hometown |
Competition |
Medal |
Employer |
|
Rebecca Liggett |
Dungannon |
Laboratory Technician |
Gold |
Almac |
|
Ross Graham |
Banbridge |
Automation |
Gold |
Regen Robotics |
|
Mykenzie Cartmill |
Armagh |
Beauty Therapy Practitioner |
Gold |
Belle Beauty |
|
Oisin McKerr |
Lurgan |
Automotive Refinishing |
Gold |
Porters Body Shop |
|
Carter McKnight |
Moira |
Automation |
Gold |
Randox |
|
Hannah Hillis |
Poyntzpass, Newry |
Health and Social Care |
Silver |
Conway Health Care (Brooklands Nursing home) |
|
Sean Treanor |
Tallavard, Co. Monaghan |
Automation |
Silver |
Norbrook Laboratories |
|
Neil King |
Warrenpoint, Newry |
Automation |
Silver |
Norbrook Laboratories |
|
Annabelle Hughes |
Loughgall, Armagh |
Culinary Arts |
Bronze |
Ghan House, Carlingford |
|
John Doherty |
Portadown |
Mechatronics |
Bronze |
Concrete Batching Systems |
|
Jason McVerry |
Belleeks, Newry |
Mechatronics |
Bronze |
Red Rock Machinery |
|
Conor McDonnell |
Armagh |
Electrical Installation |
Bronze |
W. Nesbit Electrical |
Lindsay Bronte, Organisation Manager at Southern Regional College commented “What an unbelievable performance by team SRC that follows months of hard work and dedication by the students and staff alike. I applaud students and staff for their commitment to excellence. Competing is a fantastic achievement for the students, but to see our team return home with 12 medals and be recognised at UK level for their skills and dedication is incredible. Well done to all involved.”
Following this tremendous success at WorldSkills, the College is eagerly awaiting results from the SkillBuild competition running from Tuesday 21 to Thursday 22 November in Milton Keynes.
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Throughout 2023 the Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB NI) has been working with post primary schools across Northern Ireland on their campaign Build Your Career – a future in construction, which aims to showcase the options and pathways into the construction industry.
Recently CITB NI partnered with W5, with support from Cool FM, to talk to Year 10 students about the construction industry as well as the range of job options and qualifications required. School students heard about construction careers, some interesting facts and had the opportunity to try out construction activities from Newry based MJM Marine.
CITB NI plan similar events with W5 in 2024 aimed at higher level students. For further information on a career in construction, for students and schools, visit https://www.citbni.org.uk
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A group of twenty talented students from Southern Regional College are on their way to showcase their skills at WorldSkills UK, a prestigious technical skills competition that is often called the ‘Skills Olympics’. The students will face their peers from all over the UK in a variety of specialist skill areas, ranging from bricklaying to forensic science and joinery & cabinet making.
To make it to WorldSkills UK competition, fourteen of the selected students were successful in regional competitions held across Northern Ireland. These students will now head to Manchester from 14th - 17th November to compete in the national competition.
Six students competing in the SkillBuild National Final (construction areas) will instead compete in Milton Keynes from 21st to 23rd November. These students were also required to be top achievers in their chosen areas in the SkillBuild regional finals held earlier this year. Final results are expected to be announced on the last day of each competition.
SRC has high hopes for its students this year after being attributed with the title “Number One College in the UK” in 2022. Students have been in training for the past several months, often undertaking additional training to ensure their skills are sharpened going into the national competition.
Local students from the Newry area include Hannah Hillis from Poyntzpass, Jason McVerry from Belleeks and Marcus McKay from Newry City.
Hannah is competing with the Health and Social Care category. Despite only being 17 years old Hannah is mature beyond her years, having taken up a position in Brooklands Nursing Home in 2022. Hannah is taking what she has learnt from the regional competition and improving upon her skillset to be ready to take on competitors at the national competition. So why did Hannah choose to undertake a course in Health and Social Care? Hannah says;
“Just seeing the impact I can make in someone's life felt really fulfilling and rewarding and I knew instantly that health and social care was what I wanted to pursue.”
Mechatronics student Jason McVerry will team up with another student to build an automated process. The competition will test his understanding of logic circuits, design and fault-finding skills in a challenging environment. Jason previously participated in Worldskills UK back in 2022, winning a bronze medal. In this year’s competition he is hopeful that he will improve on his prior year performance.
Similarly, hospitality student Marcus McKay will be expected to showcase his talent focusing on all the essential requirements for embarking on a career within the hospitality industry.
Lindsay Bronte, Development Manager at Southern Regional College commented "The selection of numerous students from SRC for the WorldSkills UK competition is truly a remarkable feat. This competition serves as a platform for students to exhibit not only their technical prowess but also invaluable soft skills, ranging from critical thinking to effective time management. Undoubtedly, participating in this competition will significantly enhance their career prospects, as they have consistently showcased their competence and expertise to their tutors and judges during the regional competitions. I extend my best wishes to all our competitors; regardless of the outcome, they have brought immense pride to both themselves and SRC."
Raymond Sloan, Principal & Chief Executive of Southern Regional College commented “I am immensely proud of our exceptional students who will be representing Southern Regional College and Northern Ireland at the upcoming WorldSkills UK finals. These remarkable individuals have showcased their unwavering dedication, remarkable talent, and relentless pursuit of excellence. They exemplify the spirit of our College, embodying the values of innovation, perseverance, and collaboration. I have no doubt that they will achieve great results during the competition, showcasing the exceptional skills and knowledge they have acquired during their time with us. Their commitment to honing their craft and their ability to rise to the challenge is a testament to the transformative power of education. I wish them every success in this prestigious competition, and I am confident that they will not only make our college proud but also inspire others with their remarkable achievements”.
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The Bank of England Governor of visited the Sacred Heart Grammar School in Newry last week to speak to students from local schools.
Andrew Bailey spoke to A-Level students from a number of local schools about finance on the global stage. Bailey spoke briefly about the work of the Bank of England before taking questions from the students for forty five minutes.
Topics covered included crop failures, quantitative easing, the War in Ukraine, student rent prices and Artificial Intelligence The Governor truly brought the world of international finance to life.
Pupils all agreed it was an enlightening and engaging session for those in attendance.
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With Southern Regional College (SRC) students at the Newry campus well into their first semester of college, Translink are reminding all 16-23-year-olds to avail of the free yLink card which offers card holders 50% off all bus and rail services across Northern Ireland.
Aideen McConville from Southern Regional College said: “With the Translink’s yLink card our students can travel to college for less. The card offers 50% off bus and rail travel and we believe all our students should be using this card. Travelling via bus or train is a more sustainable way to get to college and with Translink routes right outside our college it’s never been easier.”
More young people than ever are now choosing public transport as the smarter, greener way to stay better connected to university, college, work, and to socialise with family and friends with a massive 52% increase in journeys.
The latest figures were unveiled as part of Translink’s engagement with young people during the busy fresher week activities where Translink teams were on hand to showcase the yLink product and help students with all their travel and ticketing needs as they started the new student year.
Translink’s yLink card, is free to access for 16–23-year-olds, and currently offers a 50% discount on travel alongside a host of other discounts for partner organisations across NI including a range of social, leisure and lifestyle activities.
Maeve Nethercott, Brand Representative at Translink, said: “yLink is fast becoming a must-have card amongst young people who are increasingly aware of the importance of choosing sustainable travel options that don’t cost the earth or their wallet! We know young people are particularly impacted by the cost of living crisis and this card is a great way to make those limited funds go a bit further.
“We have also brought in innovations such as contactless payment technology across Metro, Glider and rail, and our cashless mLink app allows users to add their yLink card to their virtual wallet to make it really easy to travel and save.”
Chloe Ferguson, NUS-USI President, added, “Students are having to deal with greater costs, year-on-year, so any saving for essentials like travel are to be welcomed. Our student members are also acutely aware of the climate crisis and the important role sustainable transport plays in tackling this. With this in mind, we’re keen to promote greater use of public transport to help build positive habits which make a lasting difference and would encourage all young people to make use of a free yLink card to start benefitting from cheaper travel.”
To find out more about Translink’s yLink card and how to apply, as well as details of exclusive discounts and partner initiatives, visit www.translink.co.uk
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In a glittering awards ceremony at the Culloden Hotel and Spa, the Institute of Hospitality Northern Ireland Awards for Professionalism 2023 saw over 350 hospitality professionals in attendance at the event, hosted by TV personality Pamela Ballantine. Southern Regional College received two accolades.
Keith Campbell, lecturer at the College picked up the coveted title of ‘Lecturer of Year’ pipping his fellow SRC colleague Sinead Boyle to the award. Keith teaches on a range of hospitality and patisserie courses at the College and is a former student at the College. Keith and his colleague Sinead faced a grilling by a panel of independent judges in June and were left to ‘sweat it out in the kitchen’ until September when results were finally revealed.
At the grilling, Keith prepared a presentation detailing his role within the College, working with students leading them to success at regional and national competitions, and how the College continues to work hand in hand with local businesses preparing students for the hospitality industry.
As part of the College’s sustainability plans, Keith even spoke on the development of a foraging qualification designed to introduce safe and sustainable foraging practices to influence dishes served.
Elsewhere, student Claire Ward who recently graduated from the College with the University Ulster Foundation Degree in Hospitality & Tourism with Specialisms, picked up the ‘Student Management Potential Award’ and former student Collen Lennon from hospitality business ‘The Oliver’ was a finalist in the Independent Chef of the Year category.
Matt Turner, Head of Faculty for Professional Services at Southern Regional College commented “I am beyond delighted to have so many lecturers, students and past students nominated as well as deserving winners at this year’s Northern Ireland Institute of Hospitality Awards for Professionalism 2023. Staff and students put a tremendous amount of work into a creative profession, and to see this effort be recognised is absolutely fantastic.”
Southern Regional College offers students the ability to learn a range of hospitality courses; from bakery and patisserie techniques, barista skills, cocktail making to traineeships, apprenticeships and degree level courses in Hospitality & Tourism. You never know, you might be the next student picking up an award at the Institute of Hospitality Awards. Start your journey with SRC by checking available courses at: www.src.ac.uk.
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One hundred and fifty places are being offered by the Northern Ireland Civil Service as part of its 2024-25 Student Placement Competition across government departments.
The scheme, now recruiting for its fourth year, offers valuable experience for aspiring Civil Servants, providing an excellent opportunity for students to put into practice their classroom learning, develop personally and professionally and undertake meaningful work which directly impacts the lives of our citizens. In turn the Civil Service also benefits from fresh views and skills and offers staff the opportunity to guide and share their professional experience to those who wish to pursue a career in public service after university.
Opportunities are available for students across a range of degree areas including accountancy, architecture, communications, economics, engineering, geographic information systems, planning, ICT, surveying and science. These are paid placements with an annual salary of £21,053 per annum (under review).
The competition is open to students currently studying towards an undergraduate degree, who will have successfully completed their second-year examinations by the end of the 2023/24 academic year and who have the opportunity to undertake a placement for the 2024/25 academic year.
The competition is open for applications from Monday 9 October until noon on Friday 27 October 2023 with placements expected to start late July/early September 2024 for a period of up to 51 weeks.
Further information on the range of placements and details on how to apply are available at www.nicsrecruitment.org.uk
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NextGen Skills Academy visited Southern Regional College’s Banbridge campus on Tuesday 27 September to speak with students on upcoming projects. The College recently partnered up with NextGen to increase students’ employability prospects within the creative gaming industry, one of Northern Ireland’s fastest growing sectors. Gaming, Animation and Visual Effect courses are offered on SRC’s Newry and Banbridge campuses.
Students will collaborate with industry partners to build skills and expertise in gaming, animation and visual effects. At the event students heard about how they will be working on the ‘Spaceship Fleet Challenge’, a week-long project where students are pitted against other students from different Colleges to develop 3D modelling, communication and team working skills. Students will have the chance to showcase their art, maths, science, physics, computer coding and even some music skills, in an attempt to wow the experts. During the placement, Industry partners will provide valuable feedback on projects, and the top-performing team from each college will have the chance to present their work to a panel of Industry professionals.
NextGen works with employers to develop formal qualifications and training to address the skills gap and shortages in the Games, Animation and Visual Effects industry. SRC is uniquely positioned to address this shortage with its Level 3 Games, Animation and Visual Effects Extended Diploma, equivalent to three A-levels, after which students can progress to the Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Creative Media Production – Games Development. The Level 3 Extended Diploma is offered on SRC’s Banbridge and Newry campuses, with the HND offered exclusively at the Newry campus.
NextGen works in partnership with industry partners and educators to offer students exceptional opportunities to develop the skills employers truly value. By enrolling on the Level 3 Extended Diploma students can actively engage in game creation rather than just passively consuming content. The NextGen partnership brings together Further Education curriculum with the practical realities of the industry, under the guidance of experienced lecturers who provide students with the tools and practice to advance their career prospects.
Marie McArdle, Curriculum Area Manager for Computing, Design and Academic Studies at Southern Regional College commented “We are excited to be offering students the opportunity to collaborate with some of the biggest names in Games Development. Students will have the opportunity to work on some of the biggest briefs in Games Development. This kind of exposure to real life projects will pay students back ten fold in terms of experience, as it will give them the edge as they move into the industry post education”.
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It's Musical time once again at the Sacred Heart. There has been a strong tradition of musicals within Sacred Heart Grammar School dating back to 1956. The school has staged a show every second year since then until covid hit! The school is delighted to be reviving this important tradition once more by staging the colourful Andrew Lloyd Webber extravaganza ‘Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ in October.
The magnificent musical score includes the hit songs ‘Any Dream Will Do’ and ‘Close Every Door’ and many more.
This show is a MUST SEE… it has inspired choreography by Donna Magee, flamboyant costumes courtesy of Elizabeth Stagewear, ingenious direction by Mrs Molly Hodgett and outstanding musical numbers directed by Mrs Linda Turley!
The show opens on Thursday 19 October at 7.30pm in Sacred Heart School Assembly Hall and it also plays on Friday 20 @7.30pm, Sunday 22 @ 3pm, Monday 23 October @ 7.30pm and Tuesday 24 @ 7.30pm.
Tickets are available each day in the school foyer from 12.30pm-1.30pm from 5 October and cost just £10!
‘Go, Go Go……’ get your ‘JOSEPH’ tickets! (Cash or cheques only)
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