NI Success At World Skills Competition

Northern Ireland has been successful in a global skills competition in Leipzig, Germany, winning a bronze medal and six medallions of excellence as part of Team UK.

WorldSkills Leipzig 2013 welcomed over 150,000 spectators from across the world to watch 1,000 young people from 50 countries compete over four days to win the claim of 'best in the world' in their skill.

The competition took place from 4 - 7 July.

A bronze medal in autobody repair was awarded to Matthew Quinn from Dromore, County Down. Matthew is a student at Belfast Metropolitan College/Riverpark Training and employed by Charles Hurst Accident Repair Centre in Dunmurry.

Six students, James Overend, David Cargill, Gary Greer, Mark Woods, Kenneth Wilson and David Beattie, won Medallions for Excellence in mechatronics, car painting, wall and floor tiling, plastering and dry wall systems and joinery.

Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry congratulated the students on their success.

"This is an outstanding achievement not only for the young people, but also for their families, employers and tutors who have supported them throughout their training and during WorldSkills, and I want to congratulate them all on their awards," he said.

"This success is testament to the high standards of technical and professional training in our colleges and the commitment to excellence shown by our young people. Northern Ireland has once again demonstrated on the world stage that we have a talented workforce with the high level skills which keep us competitive in the global economy."

Prime Minister David Cameron said: "British ambition and ingenuity has once again taken on and beaten the best in the world and I extend my congratulations to Team UK.”

(IT/CD)