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Tourism Northern Ireland joined forces with the Southern Regional College and other Further and Higher Education Colleges in the north for a tour at Long Meadow Cider in Co Armagh to celebrate World Tourism Day, bringing together key officials and lecturers to highlight the sector's contribution to the local economy.
Recognising the key role that Further and Higher Education tourism lecturers play in educating and inspiring learners who are ultimately the future pipeline of tourism employees, during the event tourism and hospitality lecturers learned about the work currently being undertaken by Tourism NI.
Eimear Callaghan, Head of Experience and Industry Development at Tourism NI, outlined the strategic ambition for tourism aligned to the Tourism Vision and Action Plan, which aims to grow the value of tourism to £2 billion by 2035. She also explored the latest visitor market research and provided an update on plans for the continuation of the Tourism Careers Programme, which is aimed at promoting tourism and hospitality as a career of choice.
The lecturers also received updates on Tourism NI's Sustainable Tourism Business Programme, the Tourism Enterprise Programme and the organisation's innovative e-learning platform MyTourismNI. Those gathered also heard an update from Tourism NI's Major Events team who are looking ahead to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast next August.,
Eimear Callaghan, Head of Experience and Industry Development at Tourism NI, said: "It was wonderful to come together with our colleagues in the education sector to mark World Tourism Day in the beautiful surroundings of Long Meadow Cider. The tourism lecturers have a critical role to play in inspiring students and ensuring they are fully prepared for joining the tourism industry in years to come. We are a sector based on people and having a pipeline of future talent through our college networks right across Northern Ireland is of vital importance for the long-term sustainability and success of our sector."
The event underlined the importance of collaboration between the tourism industry and education sector in developing the next generation of tourism professionals across Northern Ireland.
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Eleven schools from across the district pitched their ideas to councillors in a Dragons' Den style event at Newry, Mourne and Down District Council HQ in Downpatrick on Friday, 17 October as part of Local Democracy Week. Students presented motions on issues ranging from environmental protection to community facilities with St Louis Grammar School in Kilkeel taking the winning spot for their proposal on better preparing young people for voting at 18.
The event saw pupils present their Notices of Motion directly to a judging panel made up of Council Chairperson Councillor Philip Campbell, members of Newry Mourne & Down Youth Voice and the Council's Women's Working Group. The winning motion from St Louis Grammar School will now go forward to be debated at a future full Council meeting.
Chairperson Councillor Philip Campbell said: "The creativity, confidence and passion shown by all of the students was truly inspiring. Each Notice of Motion reflected issues that matter deeply to our young people, from protecting the environment, celebrating unity and diversity to improving community facilities. Congratulations to St Louis Grammar School on their winning idea, which demonstrated both vision and real impact. I look forward to seeing their proposal brought before the Council for debate. My theme this year is 'empowering young people', and today's event has been a powerful reminder of why it is so important to give young people a platform and ensure their voices are heard in local democracy."
Other schools taking part included Blackwater Integrated College who proposed a unity in diversity youth celebration event, while Kilkeel High School pitched the idea of building a multi-activity complex for young people aged 10 to 16 in the Kilkeel area. Newry High School suggested reinstating fountains in Newry Canal and investing in eco-friendly litter removal, and Newtownhamilton High School focused on reducing single-use plastics. Our Lady's Grammar School addressed tackling violence against women through education, whilst Sacred Heart Grammar School proposed a joint university and school leavers information event. St Malachy's High School looked at enhancing diversity through language and education, St Colmcille's High School in Crossgar pitched developing a shared community space, and St Joseph's Boys' High School wanted to expand recreational facilities for teenagers outside traditional sports. Shimna Integrated College called for increased funding for women's hostels across the district.
Local Democracy Week is a Europe-wide initiative that highlights how councils work and encourages young people to engage in local decision-making.
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Two local apprentices have brought home Team UK's only colour medal from this year's EuroSkills competition in Denmark, claiming bronze in Industry 4.0. Caolan McCartan from Camlough and Patrick Sheerin from Portadown competed at EuroSkills Herning last month, where their impressive performance helped place Team UK in 15th position overall out of 32 European countries.
The duo's success at the prestigious biennial event followed their gold medal win at the 2024 WorldSkills UK National Finals in November 2024. That national victory earned them their place on Team UK and the chance to represent the UK on the European stage.
The months leading up to EuroSkills were demanding for the pair, who regularly travelled to England to train under Marcin Regulski, Team UK's Industry 4.0 training manager. Caolan described the preparation as intense, saying: "I would say the intensity ramped up quite a bit. We were shown a lot more hardware than we've ever seen before and although you might not believe it, the skills gap had increased."
He added: "We really had to put in a lot more time and effort. The UK national finals had set us up on a good platform, but this last six, seven months has been a lot more intense than I'd ever expected."
When their names appeared on the screen as bronze medallists, the experience was unforgettable. Patrick said: "To win the medal was unbelievable. It was similar to the national finals in the sense of, we think we might have placed, but we don't know. So as soon as you see your name on the screen and the whole stadium erupts. Everybody was just in awe and screaming and shouting. It was an experience I don't think I'll ever forget."
Both Patrick and Caolan started their WorldSkills journey whilst undertaking their Higher Level Apprenticeships at Southern Regional College. They were paired together for the 2024 national competition by their lecturer, Sean MacDiarmada, who has a strong track record of mentoring medal-winning students in Automation, Mechatronics and Industry 4.0. Sean has continued to support the pair, ensuring they had access to training facilities in preparation for EuroSkills.
The duo aren't resting on their laurels though. They're already eyeing the next challenge, the WorldSkills global competition in Shanghai in September 2026. Patrick said: "Provided we get picked for Team UK, it's about honing the skills that we have now. If we can refine those skills, in a year hopefully we could be standing on the podium in Shanghai in 2026. We've got a medal at every competition, so why not go the one step further, on the international stage."
Their advice for future competitors is straightforward. "You go for it, because what have you got to lose? There are so many opportunities that come could come from this. It's unbelievable. Whether it's increasing your knowledge, travelling or making new connections in industry. For everything you put in, you'll get twice as much out. You just need to be willing to put in that extra bit of work."
EuroSkills Herning 2025 was the ninth edition of the competition, which ran from 9 to 13 September at MCH Messecenter Herning in Denmark. The competition is Europe's largest biennial vocational skills event for young people under 25, promoting excellence in vocational training and encouraging innovation in education across the continent. The next edition will be co-hosted by Germany and Luxembourg from 22 to 26 September 2027.
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Hundreds of P7 pupils from across the district gathered at Dunleath Playing Fields in Downpatrick earlier this month for the annual Be Active Cross Country event organised by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
A total of 384 young athletes from 26 schools took part in the competition, which saw runners tackle a 1,100m course. The morning kicked off with an energetic warm-up session set to music before the races got underway. Matthew Taylor from East Down Athletics Club led the way around the route to make sure everyone stayed on course.
The girls set off first, keeping up a strong pace from start to finish, before the boys took their turn on the course with everyone competing for individual and team prizes. Volunteers from East Down Athletics Club were on hand throughout the day to help things run smoothly, whilst Red Cross First Aiders ensured the safety of all participants.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Chairperson, Councillor Philip Campbell, was there to support the runners and hand out medals and trophies to the top finishers.
Cllr Campbell said: "It is wonderful to see so many children from across the district participating in this year's Be Active P7 Cross Country event. The determination and enthusiasm shown by these young athletes is truly inspiring. Events like this not only promote physical activity and healthy competition but also foster a sense of community and teamwork. Congratulations to everyone involved."
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Seventeen-year-old Alan Holubowicz from Tandragee will proudly represent Southern Regional College at the UK National Finals of SkillBuild, the country's largest construction skills competition, taking place from 18 to 20 November at Arena MK in Milton Keynes.
Alan, a Level 2 Wall & Floor Apprentice based at the College's Greenbank campus in Newry, is one of eight talented finalists who will showcase his expertise against apprentices from across the UK.
Peter Farrelly, Alan's College lecturer and mentor, explained what the competition involves. He said: "The competition is an intense, time-pressured event running over three days. Competitors must complete a range of challenging tiling tasks, starting with a preparation phase that includes self-levelling a floor and repairing a deliberate construction issue, such as a missing wall stud, before moving on to the main tiling work."
He added: "Contestants have just three hours on the opening morning, from 9am to 12pm, to prepare their areas. Once midday arrives, no further preparation or corrections are allowed. Competitors are marked on this stage before progressing to the practical tiling challenges. These include creating a brick-and-bond pattern, a diagonal tile set with angles defined by the judges and finishing with precise trims and angled cuts to complete the design."
The competition is designed to test participants' technical ability, accuracy, time management and attention to health and safety. Judges assess competitors throughout the three days, marking everything from workmanship and finish to site organisation and compliance with safety standards.
Peter said: "It's a demanding challenge, but Alan has worked hard and is going to Milton Keynes determined to bring home a medal."
Lee Campbell, Principal & Chief Executive of Southern Regional College, commented: "Alan's success in reaching the UK SkillBuild National Finals is a testament to his dedication, talent and the high standard of training delivered at Southern Regional College. Competitions like SkillBuild showcase the outstanding talent being developed in further education and we're thrilled to see our students standing out on a national stage. We are immensely proud of Alan's achievement and wish him every success as he competes at a national level."
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St. Malachy's Primary School at Carnagat have hosted a wonderful vibrant and meaningful art exhibition to celebrate Anti-Bullying Week 2025, embracing this year’s theme: "Power for Good."
The event showcased the creativity and compassion of pupils from every class, who used art to promote kindness, inclusion, and the importance of standing up for others.
Each class explored the work of a renowned artist or artistic style, drawing inspiration to create unique pieces that conveyed powerful messages of empathy and unity.
The exhibition was not only a celebration of artistic talent but also a reflection of the school’s ongoing commitment to promoting and nurturing an inclusive environment where every child feels safe, valued, and empowered.
Proceeds from the sale of student artwork, along with funds raised through a raffle and generous donations, will be donated to theNorthern Ireland Children’s Hospice, supporting vital care for children and families across the region.
The exhibition featured a diverse range of influences, including:
St. Malachy's continues their mission to champion creativity and compassion, reminding everyone that the power for good lies in each of us.
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Southern Regional College has partnered with a major cross-border alliance aimed at addressing critical skills shortages across the border counties.
The Southeast Higher Education/Further Education/Industry Cross-Border Alliance (SECBA) project was officially launched at Dundalk Institute of Technology on 24 October 2025. Supported by PEACEPLUS and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body, the €9.7 million initiative brings together higher education, further education and industry to bridge the gap between education and employment.
Running until October 2028, the project will ensure that learners gain industry-relevant skills while employers access a skilled and future-ready workforce. The SECBA partnership includes Southern Regional College, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Monaghan Institute, Cavan Institute and Workplus.
Training will focus on three key sectors experiencing rapid growth and talent shortages: software development, biopharmaceuticals and business and sports management. In software development, the focus will be on enhancing digital skills in AI, machine learning and cloud computing. The biopharmaceuticals strand will provide specialist biotechnology training across production processes, while business and sports management training will develop essential leadership and management skills through workshops and training sessions.
Over 3,000 participants will be recruited throughout the life of the programme, with 2,459 expected to complete accredited training. Learners will gain qualifications designed in close collaboration with industry to ensure that skills development directly supports business needs.
Upcoming courses due to commence in the new year at SRC include Level 2 qualifications in Developing Computer Applications and Data Analytics, with options to progress available in Software Development at Level 3 and Artificial Intelligence available at both Level 3 and Level 4. Within the biopharmaceuticals sector a new Laboratory Skills Level 3 Diploma will be available in the new year, with a Sports Analytics Level 2 qualification available for sports enthusiasts.
Speaking at the launch event, Tracy Rice, Head of Business Engagement at SRC, took part in a panel discussion alongside partners from DkIT, Cavan Institute and Monaghan Institute. The discussion explored how SECBA will benefit employers, learners and the wider community through enhanced cross-border cooperation.
Lee Campbell, Principal and Chief Executive of Southern Regional College, said the initiative represents a powerful example of how education and industry can come together to tackle regional challenges. "By working in partnership with DkIT, Monaghan Institute, Cavan Institute, and Workplus, SRC is building a cross-border workforce equipped for the future. The SECBA initiative represents a powerful example of how education and industry can come together to tackle regional challenges, close skills gaps and drive lasting prosperity for employers, learners, and communities alike," she said.
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Eight students from Southern Regional College are preparing to compete at the WorldSkills UK National Finals, which take place across venues in South Wales from 25-28 November. Four of the students are currently studying at the college's Newry campus and will be among competitors representing SRC in categories including Automotive Refinishing, Automotive Body Repair, Culinary Arts and the engineering disciplines of Automation and Mechatronics.
Professional Cookery students based in Newry Leon Ruddy, 17, and Andrew McVarnock, 20, are two of eight national finalists competing in the Culinary Arts category. The pair will compete individually for the chance to obtain a medal in what will be their debut appearance at the national finals.
Competition activity for Leon and Andrew will take place across two days starting at 8.30am until 5pm each day. They will be tasked with preparing a range of classical dishes, demonstrating their understanding of flavours, plating aesthetics and effective time management. They must remain calm and confident under pressure, a challenge both students are well prepared for.
When not in college, Leon works as a Commis Chef at Wine & Brine Restaurant in Moira training under the guidance of head chef Patrick Lee. Andrew is completing his apprenticeship at Six by Nico in Belfast, where his role and responsibilities continually evolve in response to the restaurant's regular rotation of tasting menus and themes.
Returning to the National Finals this year are teammates Ross Graham, 22, and Carter McKnight, 22. This year's national final will be the duo's third appearance, having won gold in the automation category in 2023 and bronze in the mechatronics category last year. Hoping to improve on their finishing position at this year's final, Ross says the biggest lesson they've learnt from previous competition activity is nailing down on their preparation and ensuring they have undertaken an in-depth analysis of all potential scenarios. Ross and Carter are one of six team pairings competing in this year's mechatronics final.
To be in with the chance of qualifying for the national finals, students had to compete at regional qualifiers earlier this year, before the July national finalists announcement following a UK-wide benchmarking and quality assurance exercise. The WorldSkills UK competition embeds excellence in over 40 skill areas and supports learners and apprentices to develop world-class technical skills.
Mrs Lee Campbell, Principal and Chief Executive of Southern Regional College, said: "As the national WorldSkills UK competition approaches, I want to congratulate our students competing for reaching the upcoming national final. These students have demonstrated remarkable talent in the relentless pursuit of excellence. I wish them every success in this prestigious competition and I am confident that they will not only make our College proud, but inspire others with their achievements."
The college will be hoping its students can bring home medals from the prestigious competition, which showcases the best young talent in technical and vocational skills from across the UK.
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Students from Southern Regional College have delivered another impressive performance at the WorldSkills UK National Finals, securing second place on the national leaderboard for the second year running and maintaining their top two position amongst colleges and universities across the UK for the past four years.
The College's competitors particularly excelled in Mechatronics and Automotive Refinishing categories during the competition, which saw over 400 finalists compete in 40 different skills categories across four venues in Wales from 25-28 November.
Ross Graham, 22, from Banbridge and Carter McKnight, 22, from Moira claimed gold in Mechatronics, improving on their bronze medal from the previous year. Graham is currently studying the Engineering BEng level 6 degree at the College's Newry campus, while McKnight is furthering his knowledge on programmable logistics controllers at the College having completed his Engineering (Mechatronics) Level 5 Foundation Degree during the summer.
In Automotive Refinishing, apprentice Jack Harvison, 19, from Dungannon secured gold on his debut appearance at the national finals. Harvison is undertaking the Vehicle Accident Repair Paint Principles Level 3 Apprenticeship at the College's dedicated Portadown training facilities.
Bronze medals were secured by Matthew Conn, 21, from Waringstown and Phillip Fee, 28, from Dromore, both competing in Automation. The pair are currently in the second year of the Engineering (Mechatronics) Level 5 Foundation Degree at the Portadown campus. Body Repair apprentice Joseph Cullen, 20, from Portadown also claimed bronze in the Automotive Panel Repair category. All three were competing at the national finals for the first time.
Mrs Lee Campbell, Principal and Chief Executive of Southern Regional College, said: "For Southern Regional College to secure second place on the WorldSkills UK national leaderboard is an incredible achievement and a testament to the dedication, talent, and resilience of our students and staff. To be ranked in the top two for four consecutive years shows not only consistency in excellence but also a deep commitment to preparing our learners with the skills and confidence they need to thrive in a competitive world. I could not be prouder - this recognition reflects their hard work, creativity, and unwavering drive to succeed."
Ben Blackledge, Chief Executive of WorldSkills UK, said: "Congratulations to all those who participated in the WorldSkills UK national competitions. They have demonstrated their skills at the highest level and these exceptional young people represent the future of our economy. They are the new generation of highflyers that will give UK employers a competitive edge. Our competitions, based on global standards, play a vital role in developing the skills that will drive investment, create jobs, and fuel economic growth."
Medallists were announced at a glittering ceremony at the ICC Wales on Friday 28 November, bringing the four-day competition to a close and cementing Southern Regional College's position as one of the leading institutions for vocational skills training in the UK.
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