BRICKLAYER Morgan Chambers looks like he is building up to a fine career.
The former apprentice at Barnsley College has been named one of the country’s most talented trainees in a top contest.
His success came in the SkillBuild national final when he picked up a gold award. And he is now in with a chance of competing in world championships in China.
Since completing his training at the college, 19-year-old Morgan has gone on to set up his own business as a general builder.
“I finished my course in August,” said Morgan, who is from Wombwell. “But I have kept going back to represent the college in these competitions.
“It is really great to have won the gold medal.”
His proud dad, John Chambers, said: “Morgan was selected to compete at the World Skills UK Live in the bricklaying section, held at the NEC Birmingham over three days and visited by over 70,000 people.
“I am delighted to say that after three days hard work, Morgan won the gold medal which he received at an awards ceremony which is a mini-version of the Oscars. He can now, if he wants to continue, keep practising and hopefully be selected for the UK team to compete at the world skills final in Shanghai in 2021.
“His family and friends are extremely proud of him.”
Organised by the Construction Industry Training Board, SkillBuild is one of the longest-running construction competitions in the UK and has been showcasing the talents of trainees for several decades.
The competition involves various challenges in skills such as plastering, stonemasonry, painting and decorating and bricklaying. The SkillBuild 2018 national final saw more than 70 competitors, selected from across 15 regional qualifiers, travel to Birmingham’s NEC Arena to battle it out to be named the best in their chosen trade.
Gillian Brewin, CITB partnerships manager for the Midlands and North, said: “It is fantastic to see a talented trainee from the North taking home gold at the 2018 SkillBuild final. This is one of the many ways we can demonstrate the immense talent coming into the construction industry and attract more young people into a rewarding career in our sector.”
