At SkillBuild 2026, the UK’s top construction trainee talent, skilled learners and apprentices will 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.
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There are 10 different trades to choose from, including carpentry and joinery, and tutors and employers can enter on behalf of apprentices and learners.
Each of the day-long regional qualifiers brings together apprentices and trainees who complete a set task relevant to their chosen trade.
The eight highest-scoring competitors in each specialist skill then go through to the SkillBuild National Final.
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.
“With the high demand for more construction workers, especially with the government’s plan to build 1.5 million new homes by 2029, SkillBuild is more important than ever to highlight the industry and show what the best and brightest talent have to offer.”
SkillBuild competition categories:
- Bricklaying
- Carpentry
- Drylining
- Furniture and cabinet making
- Joinery
- Painting and decorating
- Plastering
- Roof slating and tiling
- Stonemasonry
- Wall and floor tiling
Regional qualifiers:
- 17 March – York College
- 19 March – City College Plymouth
- 24 March – Oaklands College
- 26 March – Langley Training Services
- 31 March – Dundee and Angus College
- 14 April – Carlisle College
- 16 April – Colchester Institute
- 22 April – Errigal Academy, London
- 23 April – Historical Environment Scotland, Stirling
- 30 April – Burnley College
- 6 May – Exeter College
- 12 May – Dudley College of Technology
- 14 May – Newcastle College
- 19 May – Southern Regional College, Northern Ireland
- 28 May – Moulton College
- 2 June – Leeds College of Building
- 4 June – Coleg Cambria
Find more information about the competition and registration here.
