First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, and Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Ken Skates, were in Coleg Sir Gâr as the search to find some of Wales' most talented construction apprentices and trainees reached its conclusion.

SkillBuild is the largest multi-trade competition in the country for construction trainees and apprentices. Run by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), the competition covers ten craft occupations including Carpentry, Bricklaying, Painting and Decorating and Roofing.

The competition is one of fifteen UK-wide SkillBuild regional heats and serves as the Skills Competition Wales 'all-Wales final'.

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Competitors have just one day to produce a finished item using their chosen skills and techniques. The test pieces are designed to test the ability of apprentices to compete against tight deadlines and produce neat and accurate work that meets the high standards of the industry.

The highest scorers will be put forward to compete in the UK national final which takes place in November at the Skills Show in Birmingham's NEC.

Success at the national final will give individuals the opportunity to compete for a place on the WorldSkills UK Team and progress to represent their country at the upcoming international WorldSkills competitions in Brazil in 2015 or in Abu Dhabi in 2017.

The First Minister said: "Wales has a wealth of exceptionally talented apprentices and it’s only right that they should be given the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, hard work and dedication at the highest possible level.

"Making sure people have the right skills to deliver major construction projects is vital if we are going to create a strong Welsh economy. Competitions like SkillBuild will ensure that Wales can access that expertise and excellence."

(CD/MH)