Reading College and University Centre was delighted to host the Guild of Bricklayers London section competition on Thursday 9 May.
Young bricklaying students and apprentices from Brooklands College, Hertfordshire Regional College, Lee Marley Brickwork Academy, MidKent College, Reading College and University Centre and West London College took part in the one-day competition at the King’s Road campus.
The competitors were split into two categories, Juniors and Seniors. Each of the competitors were given a brief and a set of drawings and were asked to build a model as per the drawing. The building model featured decorative brickwork including projections and recesses. The junior competitors were given five hours to construct their model and the seniors were given six. Competitors were marked on their level of accuracy, dimensions, safety and cleanliness.
Archie Supple, 18, who is a Bricklaying Level 2 apprentice at Roe Brickwork Ltd, from MidKent College, won the Junior category, with Brett Walker, 39, a Bricklaying Level 2 apprentice at Taylor Wimpey, from Hertfordshire Regional College, coming second. Morgan O’Sullivan, 17, a Bricklaying Level 2 apprentice at Lee Marley Academy, came third.
Ben Gibson-Tribe, 22, who is a Bricklaying Level 3 apprentice at J&L Build Ltd from Hertfordshire Regional College, won the Senior category, with Sophie Robbins, 30, a Bricklaying Level 2 apprentice at Roe Brickwork Ltd from MidKent College coming second. Alfie Head, 19, a Bricklaying Level 2 apprentice at Lee Marley Academy, came third.
Employers Tilgear and Rollins both donated prizes for the winners.
Ben Gibson Tribe, a Bricklaying Level 3 apprentice at J&L Build Ltd from Hertfordshire Regional College said: “It’s amazing! I wasn’t expecting it. I won the Junior London section heat last year and came second in the national final and now I’ve gone to win the senior category in the London section heat.”
Representatives from visiting employers included CITB, Grayson Building Products, Lee Marley Brickwork, Tilgear and Stabila, also attended the competition heat.
Henry Bareham, from one of the visiting employers, Grayson building products also spoke to the Bricklaying Level 1 students at the college.
Steve Barlow, Lead Judge, Guild of Bricklayers, said: “There’s been a good turnout of competitors, including two female competitors, producing a very good standard of work.
“Competitors are split into senior and junior categories. All of competitors were asked to construct a model consisting of decorative brickwork with projecting and recess details with styles of joining.
“Thank you to Reading College and University Centre for hosting and looking after all the competitors, staff and employers throughout the day.”
Mark Tempest, Bricklaying Teacher, Activate Learning, said: “It’s been lovely to host the competition and meet apprentices, students and teachers from other colleges and employers. We’re hoping that it serves as a statement of our commitment to the industry.
“It’s been fantastic to see so many young bricklayers showcasing their skills and see a diverse group of apprentices and students, both male and female.
“We’re hopeful that this will be the start of the competition culture at Reading College and University Centre and we’re looking forward to the next one.”
The final of the competition will take place on Thursday 20 June at Hertfordshire Regional College.
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