The competition, held at the College on Thursday 14 May, brought together learners and apprentices from across the region to showcase their skills in a live, industry-standard environment.
Newcastle College students delivered an exceptional performance, securing four first-place finishes alongside several additional podium places:
- Bricklaying – First place: Olly Skillen
- Painting and Decorating – First place: Ellie Fox
- Plastering – First place: Lenny Walker, Second place: Dru Anderson
- Roof Slating and Tiling – First place: Brooklyn Smith, Second place: Sam Hemmings
Olly Skillen, who also recently won the Junior category at the Guild of Bricklayers Competition, said: “Winning the competition showed me that all the practice paid off and gave me real confidence in my bricklaying skills.”
SkillBuild, delivered by Go Construct, is the UK’s largest construction skills competition. It gives students the opportunity to test their abilities against industry standards while gaining valuable experience in a competitive setting.
Hosting the regional qualifier on campus also allowed Newcastle College students to experience a live competition environment first-hand, helping them build confidence and develop the skills employers are looking for.
Winners will now find out in July whether they have secured a place in the national SkillBuild final, which forms part of WorldSkills.
David Laycock, Head of Construction, said: “We are incredibly pleased with what our students have achieved at this year’s SkillBuild competition. Their success reflects their hard work and dedication, alongside the commitment of our teaching teams.
“Competitions like this provide an excellent opportunity for students to apply their skills, grow in confidence and take the next step towards careers in construction.”
The results highlight the strength of construction training at Newcastle College and its focus on preparing students for successful futures in the industry.