Annual Search For NI's Top Construction Apprentices Underway

CITB NI has begun its annual search to discover Northern Ireland's top performing construction apprentice.

The industry board launched its SkillBuild NI 2022 competition as part of Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week 2022.

With categories ranging from brickwork to wall and floor tiling, this prestigious competition brings together leading local talent across the industry.


The SkillBuild NI competition is designed to test skills, technique, ability within tight timeframes, and to identify the top performers in 10 different trade areas. It is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the high level of skills and the impressive talent within the workforce.


CITB NI will host the Skillbuild NI National Finals on Wednesday 04 May 2022 at its Training Centre at Nutts Corner. Winners will have the opportunity to represent Northern Ireland in the Skillbuild UK and/or Skill M&E UK National Finals leading potentially to represent Team UK at WorldSkills. Following Covid protocols, this will be the first face to face Skillbuild NI finals since 2019 and competitors are looking forward to the event.



SkillBuild NI 2022 was launched during a series of NI wide events during NI Apprenticeship week (#NIAW2022) 07-11 Feb. CITB NI will also be running a range of virtual and face to face events to encourage skills and training for those employed or intending to be employed within the construction industry in NI and signposting employers to the range of support available to placing apprentices.

Barry Neilson, Chief Executive, CITB NI said: "We are delighted to be taking part in NI Apprenticeship Week 2022. Apprentices at all levels are a vital component to helping the construction industry develop and grow. Offering young people apprenticeships gives businesses the chance to play an active role in moulding their future workforce and creating the future skills that they need to help their businesses develop. #NIAW2022 is an opportunity for CITB NI to support, encourage and signpost construction employers and young people to the support available. We are also proud to launch our annual construction skills competition – SkillBuild NI a fantastic showcase of the NI talent pool at a regional, national and world level."