Scottish apprentices shine at SkillBuild final

Ayla Foulis, Painting and Decorating prize winner
Ayla Foulis, Painting and Decorating prize winner

Three Scottish construction apprentices have been recognised as being among the best in the UK after winning awards at the SkillBuild 2016 final.

Ayla Foulis, Gregor Alcorn and Gordon Cook were all successful in the Painting & Decorating, Stonemasonry and Wall & Floor Tiling categories respectively.

SkillBuild is a competition organised and supported by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) with the final being held as part of the Skills Show at Birmingham’s NEC.



Over 80 young construction apprentices battled it out in their chosen trade with skills such as bricklaying, wall and floor tiling and painting and decorating all being put to the test.

Wall and Floor Tiling winner Gordon Cook
Wall and Floor Tiling winner Gordon Cook

The ten winning apprentices from across the UK now have a chance to compete at next year’s WorldSkills final in Abu Dhabi.

Ian Hughes, strategic partnerships director at CITB Scotland, said: “Congratulations to all of this year’s SkillBuild winners. SkillBuild 2016 has showcased the immense talent coming into the construction sector, and all the competitors should be proud of their achievements.



“The standard that’s been shown over the final was hugely impressive. I’m certain these competitors will inspire more young people to consider a career in construction.”

SkillBuild, organised by CITB, and supported by Crown Paints, the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC), the Tile Association (TTA) and the Stone Federation, has taken place for over 40 years. It aims to find the most highly skilled young apprentices in their chosen trade.

Gregor Alcorn receiving his Stonemasonry award
Gregor Alcorn receiving his Stonemasonry award

The SkillBuild 2016 winners are:



Bricklaying

  • Winner - Jemuel Chamos, from Newtownards, South Eastern Regional College
  • Second – Jordan Richards, from Nottingham, Derby College
  • Third – Jack Broadbent from Droitwich, Heart of Worcestershire College
  • Cabinet Making

    • Winner – Chris Clarke, from Chichester, Chichester College
    • Second – Tom Pennicott, from Chichester, Chichester College
    • Third – Ian Towers from Market Harborough
    • Carpentry

      • Winner – William Campbell, from Dromore, South Eastern Regional College
      • Second – Tom O’Byrne, from Hampton, Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College
      • Third – Ricky Collyer from Paignton, South Devon College
      • Drywall Systems

        • Winner – Jack Sydall, from Sheffield, Barnsley College
        • Second – Mark Davison, from Newcastle,Tyne Metropolitan College
        • Third – Daniel McAteer from Antrim, South West College
        • Joinery

          • Winner – Liam Martin, from Bristol, DIDAC Ltd
          • Second – Christopher Caine, Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire College
          • Third – Gareth Elliot from Enniskillen, South West College
          • Plastering

            • Winner – Ameha Shewaye Bantiwered, Leeds, Leeds College
            • Second – William Johnson, Middlesbrough College
            • Third – Hannah Mealy, Birmingham, South and City College Birmingham
            • Painting & Decorating

              • Winner – Ayla Foulis, Dunfermline, Fife College, employer - A G Decorators
              • Second – Stefan Hubble – Mansfield, Vision West Nottinghamshire College
              • Third – Ryan Chamberlain, Ushaw Moor, New College Durham
              • Roofing

                • Winner – William Emerton, Cheshire, Leeds College of Building
                • Second – Sam Blount – St. Austell, Cornwall College
                • Third – Andrew Emerton, Cheshire, Leeds College of Building
                • Stonemasonry

                  • Winner – Gregor Alcorn, Inverness College UHI, employer – Historic Environment Scotland, Elgin Conservation Centre
                  • Second – William Lovell, Weymouth College
                  • Third – Ross Kennedy, Inverness College UHI, employer – Historic Environment Scotland, Elgin Conservation Centre
                  • Wall & Floor Tiling

                    • Winner – Gordon Cook, Glasgow, City of Glasgow College, employer - A De Cecco Ltd
                    • Second – Jordan Smith, Elgin, City of Glasgow College
                    • Third – Kieran Milnes, Leeds, Leeds College of Building
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