NWRC tiling trainee to compete in SkillBuild National Finals in Milton Keynes

Rebecca Gavigan, a tiling trainee from North West Regional College (NWRC), will compete in the SkillBuild UK National Finals in Milton Keynes next week. 

Rebecca is the only student from Northern Ireland to qualify for the Wall and Floor Tiling competition after winning a gold medal in the category at the 2024 SkillBuild NI Regional Competition.

SkillBuild, which is delivered by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), is the largest multi-trade competition in the UK for construction trainees and apprentices.

Rebecca faces a tough challenge to be crowned the winner at the UK finals next week, but it's all in a day's work for the Derry woman who has previously received a first-class honours degree in Fine Art. 

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A former student of St Cecilia's College, Rebecca is now in her second year of a traineeship with NWRC.

Commenting on her participation in the competition, Rebecca said: "I’m looking forward to travelling to Milton Keynes it’s a tough few tough days of competition. I have received great support from my lecturers David McCay and Alan McLaughlin who’ve helped me prepare during the last few months.

"It’s a tight competition with some of the UK’s top trainees and apprentices participating. I have no idea what I’ll be asked to do but it will be a project, created by an expert panel of judges, that I will have 18 hours to complete.

"I’m hoping that my eye for detail will help me out."

Rebecca's lecturer David McCay has praised her skill and determination, saying she has been an "exceptional student" with a "fantastic work ethic."

He said: "Tiling can be very physically demanding, but Rebecca just gets on with it. She’s put in the hours preparing for this competition while also completing her traineeship.

"We are proud that Rebecca has made it to the finals of Wall and Floor Tiling. The competition project will test knowledge, skills and abilities - and will be marked by the judges at the end of the three-day competition.

"Competitors will also need to be able to work under pressure within strict timelines, ensure they adhere to health and safety protocols and will need to impress with their talent and finesse."

The finals will take place in Milton Keynes next week from Monday, 18 November to Thursday, 21 November.