The SkillBuild National Final is the result of the UK and devolved nations’ best apprentices and learners battling it out against each other to be one of highest scoring competitors in their trade. After over 1,000 registrations across 10 construction trades and 19 regional heats, the top scoring competitors are set to gather at the Marshall Arena to battle it out for a final time to be crowned the winner in their trade at the SkillBuild National Final Competition.
The SkillBuild National Final consists of 10 trades including Bricklaying, Carpentry, Dry Lining, Furniture and Cabinet Making, Joinery, Painting and Decorating, Plastering, Roof Slating and Tiling, Stonemasonry, and Wall and Floor Tiling. Visitors will be able to watch top scoring competitors battle it out against each other to be crowned the winner in their trade and the best in the UK.
In the Wall and Floor Tiling category, the finalists are Holly Taylor Whitehead from Leeds College of Building, Rebecca Gavigan from North West Regional College, Nicholas Bennison from the Royal Engineers – British Army, Travis Huntley from Cardiff and Vale College, Ben Gordon with P Plunkett Tiling Contractors and Nadir Qahtan from South and City College.
Following a review of the Wall & Floor Tiling competition, SkillBuild decided to take just six competitors to the finals, rather than the eight competitors in the other disciplines. According to stakeholders, judges and sponsors, the decision was made due to low attendance and fewer competitors meeting the required benchmark score, highlighting the importance of events like SkillBuild in promoting the trade to young people.
The competition will be open to visitors on Wednesday 20 November 09:00 until Thursday 21 November 16:00. Visitors are more than welcome to attend both days of the National Final, however it is necessary to book tickets for both days.
Alongside observing the competition, visitors will have the opportunity to have a go at a range of inspiring activities that highlight the construction trades at the event’s designated careers experience hub, the Construction Showcase, open on Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 November from 10:00 to 15:00.
www.goconstruct.org/skillbuild