SERC Downpatrick To Host SkillBuild NI

South Eastern Regional College's (SERC) Downpatrick Campus will host this year's SkillBuild NI regional competition, the Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB NI) has announced.

SkillBuild NI 2025 – the annual search for the top performers within construction apprenticeship and traineeship programmes from across Northern Ireland – will take place on Tuesday, 20 May.

It is anticipated that hundreds of competitors will head to Downpatrick for a showcase of the wealth of talent and professionalism throughout the industry, with the winners afforded the opportunity to represent Northern Ireland in the SkillBuild UK National finals later in the year.

Designed to test skills, technique and ability within tight time frames, the competition will identify the top performers in 11 different trade areas ranging from brickwork to wall and floor tiling as they compete against each other in their chosen trades. 

Supported by the Department for the Economy, local suppliers and construction companies, the competition provides an opportunity to showcase the high level of skills and the impressive talent within the workforce, as well as raising the status and standards of professional and technical education and training.

Alliance Welcomes Transformation Programme Funding

The Alliance Party has welcomed the announcement of £129m in Transformation Programme funding, with Finance spokesperson Eóin Tennyson MLA welcoming the allocation as "an important first step on the road towards delivering better public services".

Tennyson was speaking after the Finance Minister confirmed six successful projects would benefit from the funding, following assessment by the Public Service Transformation Board.

The Upper Bann MLA said: "Alliance has consistently made the case for investment in transformation to deliver the high-quality and sustainable public services people deserve and expect.

"Prior to restoration of the Assembly, Alliance worked with others to make the case to Treasury that a financial package would be required to support stabilisation and transformation of our health, education and other public services.

"Today's announcement is a welcome outworking of those discussions, with £61m being made available to improve primary care and tackle health inequalities, £27.5m to enhance support for children with special educational needs, and £21m to speed up our justice system.

"Whilst this is an important first step, the Finance Minister should move to place the Public Sector Transformation Board on a permanent footing, and allocate the remaining £102.5m available for investment as soon as possible."

Police Seek Driver After Ramming Incident

Police in L'Derry are appealing for information to locate the driver of a blue BMW who rammed a police vehicle before fleeing the scene on Tuesday, March 4th.

At approximately 11:25 am, officers on patrol in the Creevagh Heights area saw the BMW reverse out of a driveway at high speed, colliding with their vehicle. The BMW then drove forward and reversed again, ramming the police car a second time. While fleeing, the vehicle nearly struck a female pedestrian.

Inspector Gahan from the Foyleside and Moor Neighbourhood Team condemned the incident, stating, "This was an appalling incident in which the offending vehicle was used as a weapon against our officers. This was a frightening and distressing experience for our colleagues, both of whom have been left badly shaken."

The police vehicle sustained damage and will be out of service for repairs.

Police are appealing for anyone with information about the vehicle's owner or the driver's identity to contact them. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information about the BMW, which is likely to have sustained damage to its rear, is urged to call 101, quoting reference 518 of 04/03/25.

You can also submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org