SkillBuild invites the UK’s top construction trainee talent, skilled learners and apprentices to battle it out to be crowned winners of their chosen trade.

Participants can now register to compete in their nearest Regional Qualifier, taking place in 17 locations across the UK from March to June 2026. There are ten different trades to choose from, such as carpentry and joinery, and tutors and employers can enter on behalf of apprentices and learners too.

Each of the Regional Qualifiers last one day and bring together apprentices and trainees who complete a set task relevant to their chosen trade. Once the Regional Qualifiers have finished, the marks are collated and the eight highest-scoring competitors in each specialist skill go through to the next round – the SkillBuild National Final.

CITB’s Construction Workforce Outlook forecasts over 47,000 extra construction workers are needed in the UK each year by 2029, demonstrating the opportunities available for people to join the industry. Events like SkillBuild help showcase the wide array of roles available in construction, and with Government figures showing there are 946,000 people aged 16-24 years old not in education, employment or training, there is a clear opportunity to attract more people into the industry.

Robert Smith, product manager (careers) at CITB, said: “I look forward to SkillBuild every year and thoroughly enjoy seeing the talent and passion that the competition brings out. SkillBuild is a brilliant chance for construction trainees to show off their skill sets while developing and learning new ones.” 

He added: “The feedback from those who participate each year is outstanding, and I strongly encourage anyone who can participate to register for this year’s competition.”

List of SkillBuild competition categories: 

• Bricklaying
• Carpentry
• Drylining
• Furniture and cabinet making
• Joinery
• Painting and decorating
• Plastering
• Roof slating and tiling
• Stonemasonry
• Wall and floor tiling  

Dates and locations for Regional Qualifiers:  

• 31st March 2026 - Dundee and Angus College 
• 23rd April 2026 - Historical Environment Scotland, Stirling

Register to compete in your nearest SkillBuild Regional Qualifier here.