Success for apprentices at the annual SkillBuild national finals

The winners of the annual SkillBuild national final delivered by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) were announced at the end of last year after 78 apprentices went head-to-head over three days. The prestigious competition brings together highly skilled learners, trainees, and apprentices from across the UK to battle it out to be crowned winner of their profession.

The finals of the furniture and cabinet-making competition saw participants tasked with constructing a side table, consisting of veneer marquetry, tapered leg frames and mitred cupboards with a hand cut dovetail drawer within an 18-hour timeframe. The task tested the individual’s knowledge and skills, as well as their ability to work under pressure, whilst adhering to health and safety protocols, all under the watchful eyes of judges.

Apprentices Ben Reed and Matt Turner both from Bill Cleyndert & Co, a leading British manufacturer of bespoke furniture, cabinetry and specialist joinery for interiors and yachts took home first and second place. Kye Allen of Edward Johnson Studio, where they specialise in the design and manufacture of contemporary furniture, accessories and specialist joinery for high-end interior projects, was awarded third place.

As with all apprentices, key to their success was not only the exemplary training they receive in the workplace, but also the training they undertake at college. Ben and Matt both attend Rycotewood College, a renowned centre of excellence providing furniture training in Oxfordshire, and Kye studied at Chicester College one of the largest apprenticeship training providers in Sussex, with a proven winning track record at the SkillBuild competition.

After the competition, Finlay James, apprentice tutor at Bill Cleyndert & Co, highlighted just how important the partnership between employer and college is. He said: “Here at Bill Cleyndert & Co we are so proud of how all of our apprentices performed, they worked tirelessly over the three days. Our partnership with Rycotewood means this was very much a joint success, with tutor Josh Hudson in particular, supporting our apprentices throughout their journey.”

Congratulations to Ben, Matt and Kye, and everyone who has supported them to become such highly skilled makers and worthy winners of SkillBuild 2023.