20 September 2000

BALLYMENA TO HOST ITS OWN "OLYMPICS" - NATIONAL SKILLBUILD FINALS SET FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

Speaking during a special event at Ballymena Training Centre, which is now part of the North East Institute of Further and Higher Education, the Minister said that the announcement was "good news for Northern Ireland as a whole, and even better news for Ballymena".

He said: "Skillbuild is the premier event in UK construction training. Every year it attracts a huge number of entries, with competitions being held in all regions and the winners then progressing to the National Finals.

"I am delighted to announce that next year those finals will be held in Ballymena Training Centre during June. They will last for three days, cover thirteen trades and will bring around 200 competitors and officials, to say nothing of friends, relatives and other supporters, to Northern Ireland."

The Minister congratulated the Construction Industry Training Board and the North East Institute for their efforts in putting together a successful bid to host the National Finals.

He added: "The demand for the skills which will feature at Skillbuild 2001 can easily be judged from the amount of new construction we are seeing every day. We need to ensure that we are able not only to give young people the chance to learn and improve those skills, but that we create the opportunities for them to use them.

"Hosting next year's National Finals will help us do that. It is a tremendous boost for local construction training and will provide an excellent platform from which we can promote Northern Ireland."

Barrie Roe MBE, Technical Manager of Skillbuild, said: " Skillbuild has gone from strength to strength in recent years, particularly in terms of the standards set by competitors. Northern Ireland's input has been a crucial part of that success. The skills of its competitors are acknowledged worldwide.

"Everyone at Skillbuild is looking forward to coming to Ballymena for what I am sure will be a very successful event."

During his visit, Dr Farren also referred to the recent successful merger between the Training Centre and the North East Institute, a move which he said "will give a sharper and more effective focus to training and education in the Ballymena area for trainees and employers alike".

 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Founded in 1981, Skillbuild is the annual national competition for young people in the construction industry. Some of the trades covered include bricklaying, carpentry, painting and decorating, plumbing, tiling and stonemasonry.

It is ten years since Northern Ireland last hosted the National Finals. Earlier this year the Northern Ireland team won one gold, two silver and three bronze medals with Richard Rooney from Downpatrick being selected to represent the UK in the International Skills Olympics in South Korea.

The Northern Ireland Regional Heats of Skillbuild 2001 will be held in Newry on 22 & 23 March 2001 with the National Finals being held on 4,5 & 6 June.

For further information and / or photographs please contact Simon Burrowes 028 9025 7831 mobile 0779 9711524.