Bricklaying apprentices pave their way to success
Two talented Preston’s College bricklaying apprentices are celebrating after ranking highly in the recent Guild of Bricklayers national finals in London.
Oliver Ogden and Adam Armstrong, who study on the Trowel Occupations apprenticeship programme, were awarded 3rd and 4th place respectively after going up against the nation’s best bricklayers at Brooklands College in Weybridge, London.
Oliver, competing in the juniors category, and Adam, representing Preston’s College in the seniors, made it through to the final after success in the regional qualifiers held earlier in the year. This lined up an intense one day event testing the pair’s bricklaying skills in front of independent industry professionals.
The competition is designed to test learners with a specific brief, detailing a wall design that must be built within an allotted time frame.
Oliver is studying his apprenticeship with building company Mulbury Homes while Adam is employed by P Curley Construction Ltd.
Mark Taylor, head of construction at Preston’s College, said: “The recent success in skills competitions exemplifies our mission to ensure our learners are the most employable.
“We collaborate with industry to ensure our training is designed and delivered with employers in mind, meaning learners have a high level of practical skills in their chosen trade or profession.
“We are extremely proud of the hard work and dedication shown from all our competition entrants this year and would like to thank the employers for allowing apprentices the time to compete in various events across the calendar.”
The Guild of Bricklayers, originally founded in 1932, supports colleges across the UK with competitions, guest lectures and other activities to help maintain the highest standards of craftsmanship in brickwork.
Wienerberger, the largest provider in the UK of wall, roof and landscaping innovations, donated over 66,000 bricks over the duration of the regional and national events.
Learn more on about Preston’s College construction courses from level 2 to HNC at www.preston.ac.uk/courses/construction
