Construction trainees are gearing up for a regional skills contest at West Nottinghamshire College this month.

On Tuesday 26th April, over 70 competitors from 17 colleges in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire will be bringing their talents to West Nottinghamshire College’s Construction Centre in Kirkby-in-Ashfield.

SkillBuild is a trade competition aimed at finding the country’s best trainees. Success at the regional heats will give entrants the opportunity to challenge for a place on the WorldSkills UK team.

Competitors will be set a range of timed competitions in bricklaying, cabinet making, carpentry and joinery, painting and decorating as well as plastering and wall and floor tiling.

The college – which is hosting the event for the sixth successive year – is entering the following 13 students into the heats:

Corey Knowles, senior, plastering

Jordan Harrison, new entrant, joinery

Tyler Monk, new entrant, carpentry

Niall Garrity, new entrant, plastering

Jordan Dallison, new entrant, joinery

Lauren Wells, new entrant, painting and decorating

Joshua Tideswell, new entrant, bricklaying

Adam Parr, senior, carpentry

Lois Collingwood, senior, painting and decorating

Josef Kellett, senior, joinery

Zak Beilby, senior, joinery

Liam Jones, senior, bricklaying

Stefan Hubble, senior, painting and decorating

Members of the public are welcome to attend Tuesday’s event, which runs from 9am-5pm at the venue on Julias Way in Kirkby-in Ashfield. People who wish to attend can just turn up at the campus.

Head of construction and building services, Julian Walden, said: “This is always an exciting time of year for students competing in the challenge and there’s already a sense of excitement as competitors are honing their skills ready.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming the other colleges to join us in the challenges and I’m certain it will be another great day, revealing some incredible talents from everyone taking part.”

Pictured are last year’s winners from West Nottinghamshire College.