Northern Regional College student needs your vote for European award

   

A Northern Regional College Carpentry and Joinery apprentice has been nominated for a top European award.

Samuel Gilmore, based at the College’s Coleraine campus, is through to the final two in in the Apprenticeship category at the European Alliance for Apprenticeships Awards in Helsinki, Finland.

The overall winner will be decided through a combination of a public vote and an expert panel of judges. Online voting is open until 15 October and you can vote for Samuel now on the European Alliance for Apprenticeship Awards website.

The awards, which aim to identify excellence in the supply, quality, image and mobility of apprenticeships, will be presented in Helsinki during European Vocational Skills Week, 14-18 October 2019.

Samuel said he was “speechless” when he heard he had made the final.

“I never expected to be nominated for this award. I was shocked and completely speechless. It is such an exciting opportunity to be able to travel to Helsinki and represent the College on an international level.

“I have learned an incredible amount from my tutor Ian Forsythe and my employer Mark Pollock. My classmates have also been really encouraging. All of their support has been invaluable,” he said.

Being shortlisted for the awards ceremony in Finland is the most recent achievement for the Aghadowey apprentice who has enjoyed a very successful year. He was the Northern Ireland Young Apprentice of the Year in 2018 and winner of a gold medal at the UK National Finals of WorldSkills UK Live 2018.

As a gold medallist, Samuel has been invited back to WorldSkills UK LIVE 2019 in November to compete for a place in Squad UK and a chance to compete in the International WorldSkills competition in Shanghai, China in 2021.

Samuel will be joined by nine other Northern Regional College students on his return to the WorldSkills UK LIVE finals in Birmingham.

Earlier this year, Samuel had the opportunity to travel to South Africa to learn more about the work of apprentices there.

Ian Forsythe, carpentry lecturer at the College, said:

“This nomination really is the icing on the cake of a fantastic 12 months for Samuel. He has worked incredibly hard to achieve this success and his dedication and hours of extra practice have paid off.  

Samuel is a fantastic role model for the other students who really look up to him. He is real credit to the youth of today and I wish him every bit of luck for the finals,” he said.

Join the conversation in the lead up to the European Alliance for Apprenticeships Awards on social media by using #EUVocationalSkills or #DiscoverYourTalent.

Samuel Gilmore

I never expected to be nominated for this award. I was shocked and completely speechless. It is such an exciting opportunity to be able to travel to Helsinki and represent the College on an international level.

Samuel Gilmore