A talented Northern Regional College student from Ballymena is preparing to put his technical skills to the test on the national stage next week after securing a place in the prestigious WorldSkills UK National Finals 2026.

Valentin Timuc, who is currently studying a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Information Technology at the College’s Ballymena Campus, will travel to South Wales to compete in the Digital Support and Security category from 18th–20th November.

Having successfully progressed through a demanding series of national qualifying rounds, Valentin will now compete alongside some of the UK's most promising young technical talent, demonstrating his knowledge and practical abilities in computing, cybersecurity and digital support.

His selection represents a significant personal milestone and highlights the strength of digital and technical education at Northern Regional College, where students are encouraged to develop the practical skills, confidence and industry knowledge required for successful careers in an increasingly technology-driven world.

Organised by WorldSkills UK, the National Finals are among the country's leading technical skills competitions, bringing together outstanding students and apprentices to compete across more than 40 disciplines.

Developed in collaboration with industry experts, the competitions challenge participants to complete practical tasks under pressure, testing their technical accuracy, problem-solving abilities and professional standards against nationally recognised benchmarks.

Speaking ahead of next week's competition, Valentin said:

“I'm really excited to have reached the National Finals and to have the opportunity to represent Northern Regional College at this level. Getting through the qualifying stages has been a brilliant experience and has given me a real sense of what I can achieve.

“The competition has challenged me to think differently, work under pressure and put my technical knowledge into practice. I've learned a lot throughout the process and I'm looking forward to taking on the next challenge in South Wales. It will be a great opportunity to meet other students who share my passion for technology and see how my skills compare at a national level.”

Mel Higgins, Principal and Chief Executive of Northern Regional College and Trustee of WorldSkills UK, congratulated Valentin on his achievement.

“Securing a place in the WorldSkills UK National Finals is an exceptional accomplishment and Valentin should be extremely proud of everything he has achieved to date.

“Digital skills are becoming increasingly important across every sector of the economy, and competitions such as WorldSkills UK provide an invaluable opportunity for students to demonstrate their abilities in a challenging and highly competitive environment.

“Valentin's success is a reflection of his hard work and determination, alongside the dedication of our teaching staff who support and encourage students to achieve their full potential. I'm proud of what Valentin has achieved and look forward to travelling to South Wales to cheer him on in person. We are delighted to see him representing Northern Regional College on the national stage and wish him every success in next week's competition.”