The Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB NI) in partnership with Southern Regional College has announced the SkillBuild NI 2026 regional competition. The annual competition will take place on Tues 19 May 2026, at Southern Regional College, Greenbank Campus, Newry.
The annual competition is a search for the top performers within construction apprenticeship and traineeship programmes from across Northern Ireland and a showcase of the wealth of talent, professionalism, and the brightest recruits throughout the industry.
The brightest recruits and top performers within construction apprenticeship and traineeship programmes from across Northern Ireland, will compete against each other to win in categories ranging from brickwork to wall and floor tiling. The competition is designed to test skills, technique, ability within tight timeframes, and identifies the top performers in 11 different trade areas.
Supported by Department for the Economy, local suppliers and local construction companies, the competition provides an opportunity to showcase the high level of skills and the impressive talent within the workforce, as well as raising the status and standards of professional and technical education and training.
Winners from the NI Regional Competition, will have the opportunity to represent Northern Ireland in the SkillBuild UK National finals later in the year.
Helping to announce SkillBuild 2026 in Northern Ireland, were, from left:
Gareth Mone, SRC Curriculum Area Manager, Alan Holubowicz, SRC Wall & Floor Tiling apprentice and 2025 SkillBuild National Finalist, Rachel Dorovatas, CITB NI Director of Industry Training and Support, Peter Farrelly, SRC lecturer and mentor.