The SkillBuild National Final 2024 has drawn to a close, celebrating 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 Ltd (BAL), N&C Nicobond and Schlüter-Systems – and support talented construction trainees and apprentices. Hosting a ‘have a go’ demonstration area, TTA representative David Westwood showed visitors how to install a tile, sharing his insight as an industry veteran, Master Tile Fixer and winner of the Tile Fixer of the Year 2023 TTA Award.
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, apprentice of Leeds College of Building. Not only is Holly 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 is 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, SkillBuild is more important than ever to spotlight the industry and the wide array of roles available within it.
Richard Bullock, Head of Careers Products at CITB, said: ‘Each year I look forward to SkillBuild and this year definitely did not disappoint.
‘Now more than ever before is a critical time for skills development in construction, and SkillBuild has the power to turn interests and hobbies into rewarding careers. It’s been excellent getting to meet talented individuals and learn about their passion for their chosen trade.
‘Congratulations to all our winners and participants at the SkillBuild National Final 2024. It’s a fantastic accomplishment, and everyone involved should be incredibly proud of their efforts.’
