Moulton College welcomed construction students and apprentices from across the UK last month as it hosted a regional qualifier for the Construction Industry Training Board's (CITB) SkillBuild competition.

Recognised as the UK's largest and longest-running multi-trade skills competition, SkillBuild provides trainees with the opportunity to demonstrate their practical abilities across a range of specialist disciplines. The Northamptonshire college hosted 48 competitors taking part in bricklaying, carpentry, joinery, furniture and cabinet making, and stonemasonry challenges.

The regional heats form part of a nationwide programme, with the highest-scoring competitors progressing to the SkillBuild UK National Final later this year.

Among those competing were several Moulton College students, including stonemasonry student Ben Teale, who previously won the York College regional qualifier in March and is now awaiting confirmation of a place in the national final. Bricklaying student Kaydon McLennan also secured first place in his heat, while Matthew Denton and Matthew Pisano finished first and second respectively in the Furniture and Cabinet Making competition.

Richard Ball, Head of Faculty for Construction Trades and Heritage Skills at Moulton College, said the competition provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate not only technical ability but also time management and problem-solving skills.

The inclusion of stonemasonry reflects the continuing importance of specialist heritage and construction trades at a time when the industry faces a growing skills shortage. According to CITB's Construction Workforce Outlook, the UK construction sector will require more than 47,000 additional workers each year until 2029.

Robert Smith, Product Manager for Careers at CITB, has highlighted how SkillBuild showcases the breadth of opportunities across the construction industry while supporting the development of the next generation of skilled professionals. Moulton College has a long-standing focus on construction and heritage skills training and offers courses ranging from entry-level through to degree-level study.

For more information, visit: https://www.moulton.ac.uk/