Moulton College students shine at prestigious SkillBuild competition
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Two hardworking students from Moulton College have been praised for their talents after successfully competing in this year’s SkillBuild competition. Furniture Studies student Matt Denton came first in the regional Furniture and Cabinet Making heat while Kaius Hoskins-Mason placed third in Stonemasonry. Matt, who is in his first year of studies at the College, is now set to take part in the National Final later this year.
The pair were competing in the regional heats of the annual UK-wide Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) event, which tests trainees and apprentices across ten different trades such as bricklaying, plastering, furniture and cabinet making, stonemasonry and joinery. The largest and longest-running construction skills competition sees over 1,000 students taking part in 19 Regional Qualifiers across the UK. Entrants are assessed on their technical abilities, time management, problem-solving and skills working under pressure in their chosen trade, with eight of the highest-scoring competitors for each trade category going on to compete in the SkillBuild UK National Final later this year.
Adam Palmer, Lecturer in Furniture Studies at Moulton College says: “We are incredibly proud of both Matt and Kaius, who faced some tough competition in their heats.
“Both showed off first-class skills on the day that will also stand them in good stead in their future careers. As a first year student, Matt showed the confidence and resilience needed to compete in such a pressured environment and will now head to the National Final in Milton Keynes.
“SkillBuild is a great competition, which enables our students to compete against peers across the UK. As a College, we were also delighted to have been chosen to host one of the heats and have received some fantastic feedback from CITB for our facilities as well as the hard work of our students and staff.”
Tim Balcon, CITB CEO, said: “It’s brilliant to see a record number of competitors showcasing their skills in the SkillBuild 2024 Regional Qualifiers. Every single one deserves to be celebrated for their part in the future of the construction industry. Among them are the two successful students from Moulton College, who demonstrated their great talents in Furniture and Cabinet Making and in Stonemasonry.
“SkillBuild is a fantastic opportunity for young people to develop their technical skills and showcase their craft, grow their confidence and advance their career options for future employability. It’s exciting for all of us to witness the magic that happens when passion meets talent, and we can’t wait to see the winners crowned at the SkillBuild National Final later this year.”
Debbie Scotton, Head of Growth, Innovation and Partnerships at Moulton College concludes: “SkillBuild is a really important part of the construction calendar and as a College we are delighted not only to host it but also see our students compete. Our team here works hard to equip our learners with the skills and confidence needed to thrive. Both Matt and Kaius did brilliantly, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.”
Moulton College runs courses in plumbing, carpentry & joinery, bricklaying, furniture studies, and stonemasonry. For more information, visit https://www.moulton.ac.uk
The SkillBuild 2024 National Final will take place from 18-22 November 2024 at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes.
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Editors notes
Moulton College provides vocational, practical training in beautiful campuses in the heart of the Northamptonshire countryside. The College, established in 1921 specialises in the key strategic sectors of the region; agriculture, business, food and nutrition, construction, equine, public services, sport and supported learning study programmes. Students at the College are able to study from Entry Level right through to degree level.
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is the designated industry training board for the construction sector in England, Scotland, and Wales. Its remit is to assist the construction industry in attracting talent and to champion skills development, with the overarching goal of building a better Britain, and its purpose is to support the construction industry in sustaining a workforce that is skilled, competent, and inclusive, both for the present and the future.
CITB is committed to ensuring that the construction industry remains at the forefront of skill development and innovation, fostering a robust and diverse workforce that is equipped to meet the evolving needs of the sector.
For more information, visit www.citb.co.uk
