The UK’s top construction trainee talent gathered in Milton Keynes this week to compete at the SkillBuild National Final 2025, delivered by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). The 80 participants went head-to-head over three days, with the winners from each of the ten construction trades being announced at last night’s awards ceremony.
SkillBuild National Final 2025 Winners
- Bricklaying: Freddy Ford (Building Crafts College)
- Carpentry: Jeremiasz Guzik (White Rock Cabins)
- Drylining: Illan Callaghan (Errigal)
- Furniture & Cabinet Making: Ollie Featherstone (Bill Cleyndert & Co)
- Joinery: Henry Duck (DN Colleges)
- Painting & Decorating: Kirsten Jackson (Bell Group)
- Plastering: Bradley Richards (Craven College)
- Roof Slating & Tiling: Samuel Jinks (Dalton Roofing)
- Stonemasonry: Nicholas Beck (Cumbria Quarrying Services)
- Wall & Floor Tiling: Sam Durham (ABD Ceramics)
- Team Spirit Award: Rachael O’Sullivan-Bruton (Colchester Institute)
- Rising Star Award: Tobias Wright (Building Crafts College)
The Regional Qualifiers were held at various colleges across the UK earlier this year and consisted of over 1,000 students battling it out across 10 construction trade categories. The National Final took place at the MK Arena in Milton Keynes from 19– 21 November.
The final saw the competitors constructing a project within 18 hours, with an expert panel of judges assessing them on several characteristics that included technical ability, time management, problem solving, working under pressure, and compliance with health and safety requirements.
Events like SkillBuild help showcase the wide array of roles available in construction, and with Government figures showing there are 946,000 people aged 16-24 years old not in education, employment or training, there is a clear opportunity to attract more young people into the industry. CITB’s Construction Workforce Outlook forecasts over 47,000 extra construction workers are needed in the UK each year by 2029, demonstrating the opportunities available for people to join the industry.
Robert Smith, Product Manager (Careers) at CITB, said: “SkillBuild is always a highlight for me, and this year was no exception – it was fantastic.
“Skills development in construction has never been more critical, and SkillBuild provides a unique platform to transform personal interests into professional careers. Events like SkillBuild are a brilliant showcase of what a career in construction can offer, highlighting the variety of roles available, and demonstrates the real-world skills that lead to rewarding, long-term careers in the industry.
“Over the past few days, it’s been a privilege to meet exceptional talent and gain insight into their commitment to their chosen trades. Congratulations to all the winners and participants at the SkillBuild National Final 2025. All those involved should be extremely proud of what’s they have accomplished.”
To see the full list of winners, including 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places, please visit: www.goconstruct.org/skillbuild/what-is-skillbuild/uk-national-final.
CITB would like to thank all the fantastic sponsors, supporters and strategic partners of this year’s SkillBuild competitions:BAL Adhesives, Band of Builders, Brick Development Association, British Gypsum, Careers Wales, CITB NI, Crown Paints, Festool, FIS, Institute of Carpenters, N&C Nicobond, NFRC, NSITG, Saint Gobain, Schluter, SPAX, Stablia, TARMAC, The Tile Association, Tilgear, Weber, Wienerberger, The Worshipful Company of Masons, and The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers.