Local students success in regional trades competition

Students who battled it out at the North West regional heat of SkillBuild 2017

Five local students had top three finishes in the regional heat of SkillBuild 2017.

The industry competition, hosted by Hopwood Hall College Technology Centre, features junior and senior competitions in bricklaying, cabinet making, carpentry, joinery, painting and decorating, plastering and wall and floor tiling.

• Sam Fletcher, Rochdale, won first place in the junior bricklaying event.
• Sarah Wilkinson, Middleton, came second place in junior joinery.
• Jessica Smithson, Milnrow, earned third in junior painting and decorating.
• Stuart Smith, Rochdale, finished third in the senior plastering competition.
• Anthony Brown, Oldham, took third in junior plastering.

Rob Wilson,  plastering lecturer at Hopwood Hall College, expressed great pride in having his students place in both the junior and senior plastering categories, he said: “I’m really happy for Anthony and Stuart, the level of competition was very high and they did incredibly well to finish in their respective top threes.

“They are ambassadors for a lot talented tradespeople coming through in these local areas; this is arguably the biggest competition of its kind and to earn a top three place is brilliant.  

“I’d also like to thank Chris Moule from Tilgear, who were one of the sponsors of the event. He provided a lot of encouragement and support for our students and Tilgear also supplied a tool pack for the winners of each competition, which was really classy of them.”

The highest scoring winners from each regional heat will be invited to final at The Skills Show in November.