SkillBuild National Final 2026

The results are in and we're proud to announce the finalists for the SkillBuild National Final 2026! 

After impressing judges at the Regional Qualifiers and beating out stiff competition, these talented apprentices and trainees have shown outstanding technical ability, attention to detail and a real passion for their chosen trade. They're the best in the UK at what they do, and at the National Final, they'll prove it. 

The SkillBuild National Final 2026 takes place on 18-19 November at Arena MK, Milton Keynes. Spectator tickets are completely free and open to everyone. 

Book your free tickets via Eventbrite 

Finalists are listed below in no particular order. Congratulations to everyone who made it – we can't wait to see you at the Final! 

SkillBuild 2026 finalists  

Bricklaying

  • Thomas Hughes - Bloor homes 
  • Rhyllan Taperek - Stoke on Trent College
  • Rhys Shields - Fife College
  • Joseph Wainwright - London South East College
  • Charlie Thompson - York College
  • Nathan Gamble - Bloor Homes
  • Jack Smith - Cornwall College
  • Alfie Head - Lee Marley Brickwork 

Carpentry

  • Brooklyn Hunter McConnell - Northern Regional College
  • Matthew Rutherford - South Eastern Regional College
  • James Onions - Shrewsbury College
  • Jonas Lear - Northern Regional College
  • Oliver Harrison - Leeds College of Building
  • Anthony Wright - Sunderland College
  • Robbie Buchanan - Northern Regional College
  • Odhran Barlow - South Eastern Regional College 

Drylining

  • Ciro Riccio - CGR Trade Academy
  • James McCarthy - Errigal Contracts
  • Harrison Priestley - DSP (Interiors) Ltd
  • Bradley Gorman - Errigal Contracts
  • James Naylor - Leeds College of Building
  • Graham Kennedy - Errigal Contracts
  • Matthew Harrison - CGR Trade Academy
  • Methasit Hannasaeng - Errigal Contracts

Furniture and Cabinet Making

  • Conor Spooner - Bill Cleyndert & Company
  • Matthew Conly - Northern Regional College
  • Matthew Denton - Moulton College
  • Noah Perrotton - Rycotewood Furniture Centre
  • Bobby Bynoth - Colchester Institute
  • Aeddan Bate - York College
  • Taylor Lewis - Northern Regional College
  • Matthew Pisano - Moulton College

Joinery

  • Oakley White - Dumfries and Galloway College
  • Jesse Irons - TMJ Interiors
  • Rosie Payne - Folkestone College
  • Ivan Ryshchak - TMJ interiors
  • Mark Woods - Northern Regional College
  • Kira Allin - TMJ interiors
  • Charlie Fleck - Northern Regional College
  • Luke Newton - TMJ interiors

Painting and Decorating  

  • Leah King - Derby College
  • Craig Corcoran - The College Merthyr Tydfil
  • Chloe Blackwell - Bagnalls
  • Ellie Fox - Newcastle College
  • Libbi Hitch - South and City College Birmingham
  • Joe Deas - Bagnalls
  • Izzy Cobbold - Colchester Institute
  • Faith Loynes - Bagnalls

Plastering

  • Luke Quarless - Coleg Menai
  • Ross McDougall - Edinburgh College
  • Spencer Lee - Leeds College of Building
  • Ryan Jones - Coleg Menai
  • Ronan Phillips - NPTC Group of Colleges
  • Alfie Davies - The City of Liverpool College
  • David Johnston - South Eastern Regional College
  • Kaden Davies - NPTC Group of Colleges

Roof Slating and Tiling

  • John Watson - S. Niven & Sons
  • Calum Mitchell - Exeter Collage 
  • Luke Lewis - Leeds College of Building
  • Kieran Lord - Bolton college
  • Aidan Phee - South Lanarkshire College 
  • Harley Catchpole - Exeter College
  • Brooklyn Smith - Newcastle college
  • Rudi Powch-Scott - Edinburgh College

Stonemasonry

  • Seth Moran - The Building Crafts College
  • Luke McKee - Bath College
  • Nathan Schrijver - Historic Environment Scotland
  • Franklin Bennett - Bath College
  • Joseph Rowan - The Building Crafts College
  • Andrew Pyper - Historic Environment Scotland
  • Sol Wilder - Bath College
  • Ben Teale - Moulton college

Wall and Floor Tiling

  • Ashton Webber - Leeds College of Building
  • Pearse McDonnell - Southern Regional College
  • Jay Armstrong - North West Regional College
  • Joseph Mort - Preston college
  • Kristopher McIlrath - Southern Regional College
  • Jack Rogers - North West Regional College
  • Tom Bewick - Leeds College of Building
  • Alan Holubowicz - Southern Regional College