80 of the top construction trainees from across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland are gearing up for the SkillBuild National Final 2023.
More than 1,000 registrations were received and 17 regional heats have concluded in the competition, which is delivered by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).
The final will see the top eight highest scoring competitors from each category compete.
For the first time, this year’s final will be held at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes from November 21-23.
Across the three days, competitors will be tasked with constructing a project designed by a panel of judges, within an 18-hour timeframe. The project will test the individual’s knowledge and skills, as well as their ability to work under pressure, ensuring they adhere to health and safety protocols.
Members of the public are invited to attend to observe and try their hand at a range of activities at the designated careers experience hub, the Construction Showcase. Visitors can test their hand-eye coordination skills at the decorating station, build their own bird box at the woodworking station, or get involved with virtual reality games and simulators. There will also be an opportunity for visitors to attend CPD sessions, which will be hosted by the panel of judges across all 10 trade categories.
CITB’s latest Construction Skills Network (CSN) report states that almost 225,000 extra workers will be required to meet UK construction demand by 2027.
Mike Burdett, SkillBuild bricklaying judge, said, “The competition is a fantastic way for young people to showcase their skills and talents, it never ceases to amaze me the commitment and dedication they show to their craft. As a judge we are looking to find the best of the best, testing their knowledge and skill levels through the test project.
“Every millimetre of inaccuracy costs the competitors points, but this is also set against a time pressure, making it even more challenging for them. Not only do they need to be accurate, but they also need to plan and review their work constantly to meet the demanding deadlines.”
Tim Balcon, CITB chief executive, added, “SkillBuild is a wonderful initiative which aims to attract a diverse range of recruits, and with the current skills gap, it places even greater importance on the competition and its ability to promote construction careers to a wider audience. SkillBuild not only helps young people to grow personally, increasing their confidence and social skills, but it’s also proven to assist them professionally by developing their technical and employability skills.
“While a challenging experience, if you’re serious about a career in construction, SkillBuild is an excellent opportunity. I wish all our national finalists the best of luck, and we look forward to seeing you in November.”
See the full list of finalists on Go Construct, and visit the Eventbrite page to get tickets to attend SkillBuild.
