Welsh apprentices compete at UK’s largest construction competition

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

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 the Wales SkillBuild Qualifier, held at Coleg Sir Gar, the following will progress to the UK final held at the Birmingham NEC from November 15 – 17.

Cardiff and Vale College

• James Ackland – Wall and Floor Tiling

Coleg Ceredigion

• Thomas Powell – Joinery
• Osian Davies – Joinery

Coleg Sir Gar

• Zoe Evans – Painting and Decorating

Grwp Llandrillo

• Ifan Williams – Bricklaying
• Edward Rawlinson – Plastering, Drywall Systems

The six 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.

Mark Bodger, Partnerships Director for CITB Cymru Wales, says: “It is fantastic to see a group of talented people from Wales 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 entering our industry and help to attract more young people from Wales into a rewarding career in construction”