An IT Sligo student was honoured at the prestigious Ireland Skills National Joinery Competition which was held in Cork recently.
Sheamus McLaughlin from Kerrykeel Co Donegal, a student on the innovative Advanced Wood & Sustainable Building Technology degree course at the Institute, came fifth in the joinery final.
Sheamus will be eligible to compete in the WorldSkills competition due to be held in Leipzig Germany in 2013.
A total of six Institute students reached the Ireland Skills finals – four in the Joinery final and two in the carpentry final.
IT Sligo has a tradition of taking prizes at this annual competition, one of the most prestigious in the crafts’ calendar. Adrian Flaherty from Kinnity Co Offaly got first place in the National Joinery Final, securing four in a row for IT Sligo in this category.
IT Sligo lecturer John Joe O’Reilly who is the Ireland Skills Chief Joinery Expert pointed out that the competition attracts the best young trainee crafts persons from around the country and provides a showcase for the training and development of highly skilled crafts persons within the Irish education system .
Commenting on the results, Mr Trevor McSharry, Head of Department of Civil Engineering and Construction said it was significant that the new and innovative BSc Advanced Wood & Sustainable Building Technology programme at IT Sligo, which was tailor made to meet the needs of the Green Economy, had already made its mark in such a prestigious event.
“This new programme is now one of the biggest in the department due to student demand. Having recently secured a grant of over €66,000, we will be sending students and staff to Germany shortly for two weeks of efficient timber construction training,” he pointed out.
The National Skills Competition took place at CIT’s Bishopstown campus from September 10th to 12th. The skills showcased included Automobile Technology, Carpentry, Construction, Plant Fitting, Electrical Installations, Industrial Control, Joinery, Metal Fabrication, Plastering, Refrigeration and Welding.
“We are delighted that so many of our students are helping to set the standard for excellence in workmanship,” said Mr O’Reilly who trained the joinery competitors. Another IT Sligo lecturer Cathal Naughton, who was an examiner in the National Finals was responsible for training the carpenters.
Other 2012 IT Sligo finalists included Paul Hosty from Castlegal, Co Galway who came second in the National Joinery Final, and James Conlon from Dromahair, Co Leitrim who came third in this section.
Ciara McQuaid from Scotshouse Clones Co Monaghan took third place in the carpentry final while fourth place in carpentry was also snapped up by IT Sligo, courtesy of Dave O’Reilly from Carpenterstown , Co Dublin.
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