November was a proud month for the staff and students at Build Academy with the team visiting the Skillbuild National Final 2025 at the MK Arena in Milton Keynes.
SkillBuild is an event delivered by the CITB and is the largest multi-trade competition in the UK for construction trainees and apprentices. The show features 80 young people demonstrating a range of trades including bricklaying, painting and decorating, plastering and stonemasonry.
Two Build Academy students Frankie and Tjan were invited to take part in the show as part of the SEND Learner Showcase taking on a timed painting and decorating challenge. The challenge was to accurately upscale a drawing onto a wall, then use painting and wallpapering techniques to complete the piece. Both students completed the challenge on time and to a high standard.
Sunny Bamra, Programme Director at the Build Academy commented:
'SkillBuild was a fantastic opportunity for our Build Academy students to shine. We are incredibly proud of how they showcased their technical ability, resilience and professionalism. Events like this highlight the strength of the Build Academy model and the bright future these young people are carving out in the industry.'
We think the results speak for themselves! Well done guys.
Getting started
Showcasing painting and decorating techniques
The finished result
What is Build Academy?
Build Academy is a unique project that gives young people site ready skills. Students learn from a programme put together by FMB members meaning they have the right skills to arrive as an apprentice and make an impact from day one.
The project is a collaboration between the FMB, Shooters Hill Sixth form college and the CITB. Students come from a range of different backgrounds including students with special education needs. All students at the academy have been interviewed before they join the course making sure they have the right attitude and truly see their future being in the construction industry. The aim of the programme is to place our 20 students into full time employment as apprentices with SME builders.
How can you help?
Our students need work placements so they can benefit from the expertise of FMB members and get a feel for life on site. In return you get a young person eager to learn and help out on your project – they might even become your next apprentice.
To take on a Build Academy learner for a work placement contact: tompeardon@fmb.org.uk
Authors
Tom Peardon
Tom represents the London membership of the FMB championing their interests to key industry stakeholders in London and providing a support to the membership.
Tom has eighteen years of experience working commercially in construction media including fifteen years on the CIOB publications Construction Management and BIMplus. Tom has also worked on the Architects’ Journal, the Architectural Review and the Association for Project Safety publication the Project Safety Journal.
Tom holds a degree in English and Philosophy from the University of Roehampton.
