Two Weeks Left to Enter BMI’s Apprentice of the Year 2026 Competition

With just two weeks remaining until entries close, BMI UK & Ireland is encouraging apprentices to apply for its 2026 Apprentice of the Year competition. 

Applications remain open until midnight on 17 April 2026, with entries accepted in both written and video formats.

BMI’s Apprentice of the Year 2026

The competition offers participants the opportunity to showcase their skills, network with industry professionals, and compete for a £1,000 cash prize alongside three years of bespoke training at the BMI Academy.

With strong interest and applications already, up to 20 apprentices will be shortlisted to take part in the final, held at the BMI Academy in Gloucestershire in July.

Hosted by BMI UK & Ireland, manufacturer of roofing brands Redland and Icopal, the two-day event will see pitched and flat roofing finalists put through their paces across a series of practical and professional challenges.

Judges will assess not only technical ability, but also broader skills such as business acumen and presentation. Two winners will be selected, alongside highly commended candidates in each category.

Harrison Davies

Emerging Roofing Talent

Now in its ninth year, the competition spotlights emerging roofing talent and aims to show apprentices how rewarding a career in the sector can be. With 19% of roofers predicted to retire in the next 5-10 years, supporting and developing new talent will be essential to addressing the industry’s ongoing skills gap.

“Winning Apprentice of the Year helped to kickstart my career,” said Harrison Davies, winner of the 2025 pitched roofing category. “The competition was an amazing insight into the trade. I learned so much from spending time with industry experts, and the prize money and training will help me to grow even further.

“I’d tell anyone thinking about applying to just go for it. You never know what you might learn, or where it might take you.”

2026 BMI Apprentice of the Year Competition

The competition final will take place on 22 and 23 July 2026 at the BMI Academy. Apprentices can apply by completing a written or video submission, with entries closing on 17 April 2026.

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