Highbury College to Host SKillBuild 2012
The Southern regional heat of this year's SkillBuild, the UK's biggest construction skills competition, is to be hosted by Highbury College on 22nd May, it has been announced today.
SkillBuild, a competition managed by CITB-ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council and Industry Training Board for the construction industry, is the largest multi-trade competition in the country for construction trainees and apprentices and showcases the best talent the industry has to offer.
Highbury College will play host to the Southern regional heat that will see the region's top trainees battle it out in a wide range of construction trades. Trainees will be put through their paces in their chosen trade at one of 15 regional heats taking place between April and June. The highest scoring students will then win a place at the UK final in September, which will take place at Preston College.
Commenting on the announcement, Gillian Cain, Regional Delivery Manager for CITB-ConstructionSkills South said: "We're delighted to announce this year's Southern regional heat will be hosted by Highbury College. It's a massive undertaking but we are confident that the heat will be run with the efficiency and professionalism that has made the SkillBuild heats such a success in recent years. We are really looking forward to working with the college to deliver an exciting event.
"The competition is all about celebrating the brilliance and talent of construction trainees who are the lifeblood and future of our industry. It's easy and free to enter so we are calling on employers and colleges to encourage their most talented trainees to come forward and enter the regional heat."
The competition will cover a wide range of construction trades to include; Bricklaying, Plastering, Carpentry, Joinery, Plastering and Dry Wall Systems, Cabinet Making, Wall and Floor Tiling, Painting and Decorating and Reinforced Bituminous Membranes.
Jackie Page, Director Highbury Skilled & Talented Academy at Highbury College said: "The Highbury Skilled and Talented Academy supports students with entering competitions by providing advice, guidance, skills development sessions and financial support with travel and accommodation. We are again honoured to be hosting the 2012 SkillBuild competitions at our outstanding Northarbour Centre. For us it's a great chance to use our fantastic facilities to their fullest potential and show employers that our students are at the top of their trade when it comes to construction skills."
Last year's SkillBuild had over 1,300 competitors and used approximately 8,000 bricks, 9 tonnes of mortar, one articulated lorry full of materials, 15 gallons of paint, 30 cubic metres of wood and 8/10 blocks of stone.
Main sponsors for this year's SkillBuild include Crown Paints Ltd and British Gypsum.