Building on the success of last year’s first ‘Skills Test’, the Construction Department at the University College Isle of Man is once again offering its students the opportunity to display their skill and expertise in this year’s competition, which takes place on Friday March 17th.

Corelli Bentham, Programme Manager for Construction, explains how the competition works: 

‘Over the course of the day, forty two students, representing all of the craft professions will be given practical tasks to complete under the watchful eyes of the judges. Later in the afternoon the winners will be announced and will be presented with prestigious prizes related to their craft area.’ New to the competition this year will be the Horticulture students, who are also based in the Construction Department.

It’s not just the judges who will be scrutinising the students’ work. Corelli and her team have also invited schools, construction companies, building supply companies and the general public to come along and watch the competitors and to see for themselves exactly what goes on in the College’s purpose built Baillie Scott Wing, where the Island’s future construction workers learn their trade.

'We pride ourselves on giving students the opportunity to develop their skills to the highest level’ said Corelli, ‘and the competition gives them the chance to showcase their talents, as well as providing an opportunity to inspire others to take up a career in an industry which plays such a vital part in the Island’s economy’.

UCM is very grateful for the support given by local building suppliers, many of who have donated prizes and materials for the competition. 

For details on courses in construction, visit www.ucm.im, Corelli.Bentham@ucm.ac.im or ring the Programme Area Secretary on 648205.