Seeking the best apprentice in the South-West
APPRENTICES from across Somerset will soon be battling it out to become this year's best trainee tradesperson and flying the flag for the region in Britainâ EURO [TM]s biggest skills competition, SkillBuild.
The contest is organised by ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council for the construction industry.
Last year apprentices from the South-West came out seventh overall at the annual skills competition, winning one gold and two silver medals.
They will now have their chance to compete against the other UK regions again and see if they can beat last year's results and come out at the top of the table.
The South East came out tops in 2008, winning three gold medals demonstrating first-class skills in their trades which included joinery, roofing and cabinet making.
The competition, which has been running for more than 20 years, is an opportunity to recognise the importance of apprentices and their skills. It also provides a platform for companies to highlight the quality of their workforce and commitment to training â EURO " which is essential in the current climate to provide businesses with a competitive edge.
Entries have just opened for this year's competition, which is free and easy to enter, so now is the time for companies of all sizes to be entering their most talented apprentices. These young people will be leading the way for skills in the South West â EURO " and prove just where Britain's top talent lies.
Gillian Cain, apprenticeship manager for ConstructionSkills in the South West said: "SkillBuild is a fantastic opportunity to encourage and recognise excellence, as well as help develop the future talent of the industry.
"SkillBuild celebrates apprenticeships, which are pivotal to generating a skilled workforce. Government is committed to seeing the number of apprenticeships increase significantly, with one in five young people taking them up by 2013."
The regional heats for this year's SkillBuild will take place between April and July, with the regional heat for the South West taking place on 26 June at Somerset College of Arts and Technology in Taunton.
The competition will culminate with the national final in October, which will take place in Scotland.