More than 120 secondary school pupils from 17 schools across the Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon and Newry Mourne areas participated in Southern Regional College’s annual inter-campus skills competition on Tuesday, 3 February.

Competitors demonstrated skills in construction trades including brickwork, joinery, tiling, plumbing and plastering. Other categories covered motor vehicle studies, engineering principles, catering, contemporary cuisine, beauty therapy, upstyling, blow drying, manicure nail art, childcare and graphic design.

Participating schools included Markethill High School, City of Armagh High School, Brownlow College, Craigavon Senior High, Lismore College, Newry High School, Newtownhamilton High School, St Joseph’s Boys School, St Louis Grammar School, St Mark’s High School, St Paul’s High School, St Joseph’s High School Crossmaglen, Newbridge Integrated College, Rathfriland High School, St Patrick’s College, Banbridge High School and Dromore High School.

The event serves as the culmination of pupils' vocational and academic programmes at the college. Majella Kelly, Schools Partnership Programme Manager at Southern Regional College, stated that the competition highlights the ambition, creativity and technical ability of young people applying skills in competitive environments mirroring industry standards.

The annual competition strengthens collaboration between the college and regional schools to support vocational education pathways for further study, apprenticeships and employment.