Electrical Installation Apprentice reaches Finals Of The Sparks UK Electrical Apprentice Of The Year Competition

Level 3 Electrical Installation apprentice Scott Barr from South Eastern Regional College (SERC) Downpatrick Campus has recently reached the finals of the SPARKS UK Electrical Apprentice of the Year competition. 

Launched in 2010, the SPARKS UK Electrical Apprentice of the Year competitions gives participants the chance to be recognised for their hard work and skills. It’s a great opportunity for lecturers, employers, industry leaders and manufacturers to get involved and support the next generation of electricians.

The regional heat took place at Belfast Met and saw competitors from colleges throughout the region to take part in the five-hour task which incorporated many different elements of their courses, testing them on knowledge, technique and speed.

Following some tough deliberation between the judges, Scott was named the NI regional winner and was rewarded for his efforts with a selection of prizes provided by the competition’s sponsors.

Scott will now head to the grand final for a two-day competition which will take place at 3M next month.

Level 3 apprentices Daryl Mulligan from the Lisburn Campus and Lee Eadie from the Newtownards campus also competed.

Speaking about his win Scott said “I’m happy, I wasn’t expecting it. Getting it all done within the time was the hardest thing. I had about two or three minutes left by the time I finished. There were four or five others who I thought were pretty good. I’m going to knuckle down and keep doing what I’ve been doing.”

Steven Donnelly, SERC Lecturer in Electrical Installation said “I’m absolutely buzzing for him. He’s put in the work for it and he shows. It’s the second competition he’s been in and the second competition he’s won. Personally, I couldn’t find anything wrong with his work, it was very difficult to take points off him. It was a fantastic piece of work.”