Lewis Elder took first place in the three-day competition which saw finalists – also including Callum Insch and Stuart Bain, two apprentices who underwent training at HES’s Elgin Skills Training Centre – tasked with constructing a project designed by an expert panel of judges within an 18-hour timeframe. The judges assessed the competitors on aspects including technical ability, time management, problem-solving, skills working under pressure, and compliance with health and safety requirements.

SkillBuild, delivered by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), is the largest and longest-running multi-trade skills competition in the UK, which brings together highly skilled learners and apprentices to battle it out to be crowned winners of their chosen trade.

Commenting on his win, Lewis said: “I’m really happy with the win, especially with the standard being so high across the competition. The encouragement from the staff at the Skills Training Centre and my employer has been great, and I’d like to say thanks to everyone that has supported me throughout.”

Lesley Cadger, head of technical education and training at HES, said: “We’re delighted for Lewis and congratulate him on this fantastic achievement. This win demonstrates the quality of our skills training programmes and the expertise and dedication of our colleagues who deliver them.

“Events such as SkillBuild shine a light on the importance of skills like stonemasonry at a time when the sector is facing acute shortages. These traditional skills are vital if we are to ensure a sustainable future for our built heritage, emphasising the need to maintain high quality training opportunities in these fields.”

Richard Bullock, head of careers products at CITB, said: “It is a critical time for skills development in the UK construction sector and SkillBuild has the power to highlight the art of stonemasonry and inspire the next generation of stonemasons to pursue a career in construction.

“Huge congratulations to Lewis and all of the winners of the competition, it’s a fantastic accomplishment and everyone should be incredibly proud of their efforts.”

HES delivers stonemasonry training at its Skills Training Centres in Stirling and Elgin. Lewis was one of a number of stonemasons who joined the Skills Training Centre in Stirling following the cessation of the MA Stonemasonry qualification at Edinburgh College.