Bath College is celebrating after two of its student stonemasons won Gold and Silver at SkillBuild, a competition delivered by CITB, which is the largest multi-trade skills competition in the UK for construction trainees and apprentices.
Gold was won by Lewis Evans and Silver by Kane Frith, who are both Level 3 Stonemasonry apprentices who have been with Bath College for two and a half years. Lewis’ apprenticeship is with Wolff Stone Ltd in Doulting near Shepton Mallet and Kane’s is with Rowland Stone in Bristol.
The SkillBuild 2021 National Finals were held at the National Construction College (East) site in Bircham Newton, Norfolk. Competitions took place over the course of three days with almost 250 competitors participating in qualifiers across a range of skill disciplines including bricklaying, carpentry and plastering.
Both Bath College Stonemasonry competitors were very surprised and delighted with their achievements. “It was a tough 18 hour competition shaping some hard Portland stone which created a few blisters, but we’re very happy to come in first and second place,” said gold winner Lewis.
Bath College is just one of two colleges in the UK who offer Stonemasonry qualifications. Students and apprentices train in the purpose-built masonry workshop at the Somer Valley Campus in Radstock.