Apprentices from across the UK will soon be battling it out to become this year's best trainee tradesperson and flying the flag for their region in Britain's biggest skills competition, SkillBuild, which is organised by ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council for the construction industry.

Last year apprentices from the South East came out tops at the annual skills competition, winning three gold medals demonstrating first-class skills in their trades which included joinery, roofing and cabinet making.

Apprentices from Yorkshire & Humber followed close behind, with those from the North East and East of England fairing the least well in the winners' medals table.

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 - which is essential in the current climate to provide businesses with a competitive edge.

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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 their region - and prove just where Britain's top talent lies.

SkillBuild Chair and MD of Carpentry Management Contracting (CMC) Ltd, Martyn Price 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 and will culminate with the national final in October, which will take place in Scotland. The competition is managed by ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council for the industry.

Following a medal win at last year’s SkillBuild final, Neil Macartney, a NVQ Level 3 Bench Joinery apprentice and student at Acton & West London College, has proved he is one of the best in the industry by being selected to represent the UK and compete at WorldSkills in Calgary, Canada in October.

(JM/BMcC)