The SkillBuild National Final 2024 celebrated the incredible talent of construction trainees and apprentices from across the UK. Taking place at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes on 19th–21st November, the final attracted thousands of visitors and showcased some outstanding skill, creativity and passion.
TTA is proud to be a sponsor of SkillBuild along with TTA members – Building Adhesives (BAL), N&C Nicobond, Sigma UK and Schlüter-Systems – and support talented construction trainees and apprentices. Thanks go to David Westwood of Westwoods Tiling for running the “have a go” demo area on behalf of TTA.
Across the three days, competitors were tasked with constructing a project designed by an expert panel of judges within an 18-hour timeframe. The judges assessed the competitors on several aspects – including technical ability, time management, problem solving, skills working under pressure, and compliance with health and safety requirements. Chair of TTA Training Committee David Rowley and TTA technical & training manager Martin Pouncey judged the wall and floor tiling category alongside industry veterans John Chambers and Paul Doran.
Congratulations to the winner of the Wall and Floor Tiling category, Holly Taylor Whitehead, an apprentice of Leeds College of Building. Not only is Holly Taylor Whitehead the first Leeds College of Building entrant to attain top position in the tiling category, but she is also the first female student to enrol on the College Wall & Floor Tiling apprenticeship.
Holly Taylor Whitehead was followed in second place by Travis Huntley of Cardiff and Vale College and in third place by Ben Gordon of P. Plunkett Tiling Contractors Ltd. The other wall and floor tiling finalists also deserving recognition were Nicholas Bennison – Royal Engineers – British Army, Rebecca Gavigan – North West Regional College and Nadir Qahtan – South and City College.
With CITB’s Construction Skills Network (CSN) report forecasting a need for over 250,000 new construction workers by 2028, it is more important than ever to spotlight the value of apprenticeships and the opportunities that apprentices have within the tiling industry.
SkillBuild’s organisers have confirmed that planning for next year’s competition is well underway and registration will open in February 2025. For 2025, wall and floor tiling is anticipated to include new elements such as background preparation and traditional tile design.
It is important to note that there is no limit to how many competitors each provider can register or age limit, however, as spaces are limited it is recommended to prioritise your top competitors first. Colleges, training providers and private organisations can enter competitors who are either in relevant training/education or who have completed a course within the last 12 months. Further details on how to register alongside locations and dates for the Regional Qualifiers will be available at goconstruct.org/skillbuild closer to registration opening.