BARNSLEY COLLEGE APPRENTICE SCOOPS GOLD MEDAL AT NATIONAL SKILLS COMPETITION FINAL

Barnsley College apprentice, Craig Bray, proved he is one of Britain’s best young trades people at the national final of the UK’s biggest skills competition, SkillBuild, which is organised by ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council for the industry.

Craig scooped the gold medal in the Bricklaying category, beating top students from up and down the country at the national final which took place at South Lanarkshire College in Scotland. Craig who is a Brickwork student at Barnsley College celebrated his success at a post-event awards dinner at Hampden Park stadium.

The awards ceremony was opened by television presenter, Angelica Bell, who talked to the students about the importance of teamwork and showcasing your talents. The ceremony also featured a key note speech from Mark Farrar, Chief Executive of ConstructionSkills. Earlier in the week MSP and Minister for Schools and Skills, Keith Brown, opened the competition. 

Craig spoke of his success at this year’s SkillBuild final: “I am very excited and surprised to have won a medal at the national final. I’ve really enjoyed taking part in this year’s SkillBuild competition, it has been hard work but it has definitely been worth it. I feel I have gained so much experience and it has really helped increase my confidence levels, as well as looking good on my CV. I would highly recommend other young trades people to look at entering next year’s competition.”

College Brickwork tutor, Keith Parr, said: “Craig is an outstanding student who has shown great commitment in all he has done. He has worked consistently hard and is a shining example of what can be achieved through the competition.  We are all very proud of his well deserved achievement.”

The winners from this year’s national final could now be in with a chance of competing to be the best in the world by taking part in the international WorldSkills competition, which is held every two years and will next take place in London in 2011.