Students and staff from South West College were among those honoured at the second Further Education Excellence Awards, held at the Glenavon Hotel in Cookstown. The event brought together Northern Ireland’s six further education colleges to recognise accomplishments across a range of learning pathways.

Patriece Gallagher received the FE Excellence Award in the Higher Level Apprenticeship Programme. She is studying Construction Engineering with Surveying and was recognised for her academic record and her work to promote diversity in the construction industry, including encouraging more women to enter the field. She also participated in a summer programme at Penn State University in the United States.

Cathal Connolly won the FE Excellence Award in Entry Level Study. He had previously earned a bronze medal at WorldSkills. Tristan McGrath received the FE Excellence Award in Apprenticeship Training for his performance in Domestic Plumbing and Heating. He was highly commended at the WorldSkills UK National Final 2025.

A posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award was presented in memory of Deborah Brown, who served South West College for more than 20 years. She died in February following an illness.

Nearly 50 students were recognised at the ceremony, which covered awards for introductory and supported learning, apprenticeships, higher education, and lifelong learning.

The event was opened by Janis Scallon, Director of Further Education at the Department for the Economy. She said the further education sector plays a vital role in economic and social progress, equipping people with skills and supporting business through partnerships with industry and government.

Celine McCartan, Principal of South West College, congratulated the winners and said their achievements reflect the talent and ambition within the college. She noted that the awards demonstrate the opportunities further education provides across all levels of study.

Kate Grant, a model and advocate from Cookstown, welcomed guests to the ceremony. Grant became the first model with Down’s syndrome to win an international beauty title in 2018.