UK’s Top Roofing Apprentices Set to Compete in SkillBuild Final

SKILLBUILD 2018 is set to return to Birmingham’s NEC yet again for the UK’s largest multi-trade competition for construction trainees and apprentices.

The three day contest will run from 8.00am Thursday 15 to 10.30am Saturday 17 November and will bring together roofing apprentice regional winners from Newcastle, Devon, Leeds, Edinburgh and Wales.

NFRC Technical Officer and SkillBuild workshop manager, Simon Dixon commented: “The World Skills/SkillBuild National Final is very important to the roofing industry because competition brings out the best in each individual. And we as an industry need to show off these tremendous skills.

“The final is a hard-fought event, with the judges measuring to the millimetre with steel rulers, it’s the only way to separate the top eight young roofers in the country.”

2018 SkillBuild Final

Harry Pennock winner of Skillbuild 2017 with Oliver Farrell, Project Manager, CITB

From March to July this year, roofing apprentices across the country have been competing in heats to earn themselves the title of regional top scorer and a place in the final.

Gold, silver and bronze medals will be handed out at an awards ceremony on the final day of the competition.

This year, the winner will receive a cash prize, and an all-expenses paid trip to CUPA PIZARRAS’ slates quarries in Spain – as well as the opportunity to be chosen to represent the UK in the international IFD competitions.

Judging the final this year are Head Judge, Matt Timby, a previous winner of SkillBuild himself and a gold medal winner at IFD, and Assistant Judge and award-winning roofing contractor and trainer, Andy Rowlands.

Matt Timby commented: “SkillBuild is massively important to training. It gives the young apprentices something to aim towards other than just the qualification. I think its a good friendly competition at all levels. I like to think that they all want to be the best they can, and its a great platform to boost that desire.

“I always enjoy the finals, Its great to see the young roofers who have reached this point go for the final push.”

During the event, roofing apprentices from Newcastle College Roofing Department will be in the Showcase Area demonstrating skills and letting visitors ‘have a go’ at some basic roofing activities.

Roof Slating & Tiling Apprentice Finalists

Competing Roof Slating and Tiling apprentice finalists this year are:

• David Crank – Newcastle College
• Gregory Thomas – South Devon College
• Jay Webster – Leeds College of Building
• Joseph Turner – Leeds College of Building
• Kieran Langhan – Leeds College of Building
• Ross King – Edinburgh College
• Tyler Mason – South Wales and South West Roof Training Group
• William Townsley – Edinburgh College

CUPA PIZARRAS, Klober, Wienerberger, SR Timber and Burton Roofing Merchants are all sponsoring the final, providing quality materials for the apprentices to work with.

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