Scottish apprentices compete at UK’s largest construction competition

Five trainees representing colleges throughout Scotland have successfully secured their place at the National Final of the UK’s longest running construction competition.

Organised by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), SkillBuild has been showcasing the talent of construction trainees from across the UK for several decades. The competition involves a variety of challenges in a number of skills, including plastering, stonemasonry, painting and decorating and bricklaying.

After successfully competing in SkillBuild Regional Qualifiers, the following will progress to the UK final held at the Birmingham NEC from November 15 – 17:

City of Glasgow College

• John McMenamin – Plastering
• Mariusz Kaniecki – Wall and Floor Tiling

Edinburgh College

• Calum Munro – Stonemasonry

Forth Valley College

• Liam MacAulay – Stonemasonry
  

South Lanarkshire College

• James Westland – Joinery 

The five apprentices will now take on fellow finalists from across the UK. The overall goal is to win SkillBuild 2018 and to potentially secure a place in Team UK for the international competition WorldSkills Kazan 2019.

Sandy MacGillivray, CITB Scotland Regional Delivery Manager, said: “It is fantastic to see a group of talented people from Scotland making it to the final of SkillBuild 2018. This competition will give them the opportunity to showcase their skills and expertise on a national stage.

“SkillBuild is one of the many ways we can demonstrate the immense talent coming into the construction industry and attract more young people into a rewarding career in our sector.”