Tandragee student Alan Holubowitz, a Level 2 Wall and Floor Tiling Diploma Apprentice at Southern Regional College's Greenbank campus in Newry, has earned a coveted spot in the 2025 SkillBuild National Final.

The seventeen-year-old is one of just eight national finalists in his category, having achieved one of the highest scores across all competitors in this year's rigorous qualifying competitions.

Alan secured his place after winning the Northern Ireland 2025 regional competition in Wall and Floor Tiling earlier in May. He then had to await the conclusion of all regional competitions across the UK, with results quality assured and moderated by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), before his final announcement as a national finalist. The SkillBuild National Final, renowned as the UK's largest and longest-running construction skills competition, is scheduled to take place on 19-20 November 2025, at Arena MK in Milton Keynes. Alan will compete against the best construction trainees from across the UK in his chosen trade. The competition covers ten key areas, including bricklaying, carpentry, drylining, furniture & cabinet making, joinery, painting & decorating, plastering, roof slating & tiling, stonemasonry, and wall & floor tiling.

Lee Campbell, Principal & CEO of Southern Regional College, extended his congratulations: "Reaching this stage of the competition is a testament to his exceptional technical skills, precision, and dedication to his craft. It's a significant achievement, and one which we will continue to encourage all our students to strive for."

Alan's success highlights the high standard of vocational training provided in Northern Ireland and sets the stage for a compelling performance on the national platform later this year.