Teen cabinet maker wins skills award

SkillBuild 2010, which took place earlier this month, was hosted by Coleg Menai in Llangefni, North Wales and Edward Harringman, 17, who attends Chichester College, was highly commended.

In total, 89 talented trainees battled it out to be crowned as the best in their chosen trade at SkillBuild - organised by ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council for the construction industry.

The competitors had achieved the highest scores at one of the 15 regional heats, around the UK.

Edward was among five trainees from the South East who successfully achieved medals at the UK final.

Categories included bricklaying, cabinet making, carpentry, drywall systems, joinery, painting and decorating, plastering, stonemasonry, roof slating and tiling, and wall and floor tiling.

SkillBuild showcases the wealth of young construction talent as part of ConstructionSkills' Positive Image campaign to encourage new blood into the industry.

SkillBuild has a key role in demonstrating the breadth of opportunity in the industry and gives businesses the chance to showcase their successes in order to attract new talent.

Eligible outstanding competitors from this year's competition have been put forward for the selection process to represent the UK at the next international WorldSkills Competition when it comes to ExCeL in London on October 5-8 2011.