Bricklaying students in Suffolk have been competing in the regional heat of SkillBuild, the largest competition for young construction talent in the country.

East Anglian Daily Times: Bricklaying students take part in the SkillBuild 2018 Regional Heat at Easton & Otley College, using Forterra�s London Bricks. Photos by lucy taylor photography All copyright remains with the photographerBricklaying students take part in the SkillBuild 2018 Regional Heat at Easton & Otley College, using Forterra�s London Bricks. Photos by lucy taylor photography All copyright remains with the photographer (Image: Lucy Taylor Photography)

UK building products manufacturer Forterra donated thousands of bricks to Easton & Otley College in Suffolk, as part of a competition to find the best trainee construction talent in the country.

Bricklaying students take part in the SkillBuild 2018 Regional Heat, using Forterra’s London Bricks.

Budding bricklayers took part in the the largest multi-trade competition in the country, which covers 10 trade occupations including bricklaying, carpentry, plastering and roofing.

SkillBuild, which is run by the Construction Industry Training Board, has been running for 50 years.

Regional heats of the competition have taken place around the UK, in which construction students compete to be crowned the SkillBuild winner in their chosen trade.

Lloyd Ince, curriculum and quality manager for construction at Easton & Otley College, said; “We are very grateful that Forterra has generously provided its bricks for the 2018 SkillBuild regional heat, which took place here on our campus.”

In total, Forterra has donated more than 35,000 of its London Bricks to colleges in cities including London, Newcastle, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Birmingham, Brighton, Leicester and York, for the regional heats, which take place until July.

Forterra will also be providing bricks for the SkillBuild UK final, which takes place in autumn this year.

Oliver Farrell, CITB assistant product manager said: “SkillBuild is a great way for young people to start a rewarding career in construction. The sector has a lot of opportunity. Our Construction Skills Network forecast shows that 158,000 jobs will be created in the UK between now and 2022.

“As part of SkillBuild, competitors are tested not only on their technical abilities, but on their time-management, character and commitment and the competitions can help them build their confidence, self-esteem and life skills.”

For more details about CITB SkillBuild 2018, visit https://www.citb.co.uk/careers-in-construction/experience-it/skillbuild/