Redcar & Cleveland College student, Daniel Ferguson from Middlesbrough, took the top spot in the carpentry category at the Skillbuild regional finals held at City of Sunderland College.

 

Daniel, 19, employed by Tolent Construction as part of the Construction Industry Training Board’s mentoring scheme, was one of 14 students from the College entering five of the possible eight trade categories in the junior and senior sections of the competition.

 

Talking about winning the carpentry award Daniel said, “I had to build a timber stud partition and do a range of tasks against the clock. It was pressured, but I enjoyed it and got to put into practice the skills I picked up on my course. I’m looking forward to the national competition.”

 

Talking about the Skillbuild entry John Wade, lecturer in Construction at Redcar & Cleveland College, said, “The team we entered into the SkillBuild competition in Sunderland did really well, with Daniel now getting the chance to represent the North East region at the national finals in Leeds later in the year. He has the potential to progress to the British team that will take part in WorldSkills Olympics.

 

“We were the only college in the region to enter female contestants, with Yvonne Tennant for painting and decorating and Suzanne Winn for bricklaying. Both put in very credible performances in their competitions with Suzanne, who is employed by Barratt Construction, doing exceptionally well.

 

The College also picked up some other good results, with Andrew Ellsworth cementing a runners up spot in the plastering category, and first year student John Atkinson narrowly being beaten to first place in the Joinery category.