News

Advanced Joinery - 1st Place - Josua Lewis

Moreton Morrell College carpentry and joinery students have seen off competition from rival colleges to win top places at a regional SkillBuild competition.

Three students visited South and City College in Birmingham College on Thursday 17 May, to take part in the heats organised by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), pitting their talents against the best students from across the West Midlands.

Students managed to gain two first places and a second place position in two separate categories.

Joshua Lewis, an 18-year-old, Level 2 joinery apprentice employed by OFW Carpentry and Building Ltd, took first place in the Advanced Joinery category.

Remarkably he also gained second place in the annual Craft competition 2018 held at Stratford College in London, on behalf of the Worshipful Company of Joiners and Ceilers.

Oliver Willcocks, his employer said: “It is a great pleasure to be Joshua’s employer, he is a great asset to the company. We are all extremely proud of his achievements in both of these competitions, and look forward to seeing him progress further in the future”.

New Entrant Joinery - 1st Place - Isaac Alun-Jones

In a secondary category for ‘New Entrants’, first year apprentice Isaac Alun-Jones, a 27-year-old, took first place. Isaac is employed by Avon Boating, one of England’s oldest and largest traditional boating companies specialising in wooden boat restoration and boat services on the River Avon in Stratford-upon-Avon. 

Nick Birch, his employer, said: “We are delighted that our trainee, won the SkillBuild competition this year. He has shown himself to be a dedicated and talented young man, and we fully expect him to become a valued full-time member of our company. Craft skills are essential to the success of our firm and vibrancy of the economy. We are pleased that they are taught to such a high standard at a local college”.

New Entrant Carpentry - 2nd Place - Marshall Herne

Marshall Herne, a 19-year-old, Level 1 carpentry student, came second place in the ‘New Entrant’ carpentry category and is set to re-enter the competition next year in the Advanced category.

John Billings, WCG Carpentry and Joinery lecturer, said: “Since 2016, this is the third year in a row that we have entered the competition which has resulted in students getting top spots.

“Everyone worked so hard, these results would not have been possible if it wasn’t for the dedication of each competitor and the impeccable standards and training provided by our tutors.”

For competitors taking part in the ‘Advanced’ competitions, the results from each of the qualifiers are combined, with the highest scoring competitors invited to take part in the UK National Final to be held at the Skills Show from 15 - 17 November at the NEC, Birmingham.

See the Moreton Morrell College website for more information on the college