A PRESTIGIOUS competition has been staged in York to showcase the skills of young people training within the construction industry.

The regional heat of SKILLBUILD 2006 was hosted at York College with trainees competing from trades such as bricklaying, cabinet making, carpentry, joinery, decorating, stonemasony and tiling.

The winners go through to the national competition in October with qualifying competitors in some categories going forward to represent the UK in the World Skills Competition in Japan in 2007.

Kevin Clancy, curriculum leader for construction crafts at York College said: "The competition showcases the high level of skills training undertaken by employers and colleges and provides a benchmark for excellence."

Barrie Roe, technical director of Skillbuild, said: "Skillbuild, now in its 25th year, provides young people with the opportunity to demonstrate the high levels of vocational skills training provided in colleges of further education and independent training centres."

York College students won in four of the five categories.

James Templey won in bricklaying, Liam Gardner came top in the cabinet making section, Callum Smith won in stone masonry and Leon Noble was placed first in the painting and decorating category.

Keir Grimshaw, of Leeds College of Building, came top in the joinery section.

Updated: 10:39 Tuesday, May 16, 2006