Bloor Homes bricklaying apprentice, Alfie Kinnen, has been selected by Riverside College to represent the developer and College at the annual SkillBuild 2026 Regional Qualifying competition taking place at Deeside College in June.
Alfie, who recently won the prestigious Bricklaying Apprentice of the Year Award at Riverside College, is one of two students selected by tutors to compete against bricklaying apprentices across the region.
The six-hour bricklaying competition will require each apprentice to use their skills, precision and time management to complete projects designed to test skills and abilities at Level 2 curriculum.
On the day, marks will be awarded for technical proficiency and execution, including dimensional positioning, alignment, details of projected and recessed features, joint finishes, conformity to the drawing, the cleanliness of the facework, and work methods. Marks will also be awarded for working safely and wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout the competition.
Bloor Homes’ bricklaying apprenticeships are sought after, as the developer provides a collective place for apprentices of different levels to work on site and learn together, under the expert guidance of dedicated Apprenticeship Master, David Cunningham. This ensures apprentices have the support on site that they need whilst also adhering to the high standards of work and professional health and safety required of a live building site.
Bloor Homes also understands the challenge young people face getting to site and provides travel costs as well as tools when they begin training with the company.
David Cunnigham, Bricklaying Apprentice Master for Bloor Homes’ North West region, said: “Alfie is an exceptional apprentice and we’re incredibly proud that he’s been selected to represent both Bloor Homes and Riverside College at this prestigious regional competition. His recent Apprentice of the Year Award is a testament to his outstanding commitment, skill, and professionalism.
“As Alfie’s Bricklaying Apprentice Master for the last 18 months, I can see that he is a quick learner and he is already producing good quality work on site; our team has had scores of 6 from the NHBC inspectors on several plots which is the highest score achievable. Not only does Alfie have the aptitude for the bricklaying, he’s a very likeable and pleasant young man and I am proud to have him in my team.”
Alfie Kinnen said: “I’m honoured to have won the Apprentice of the Year Award and to be selected for the SkillBuild competition. I really enjoy bricklaying and I’m passionate about learning both traditional techniques and modern construction practices. Working at Bloor Homes has given me fantastic on-site experience, and I’m enjoying training at Riverside College. I’m looking forward to the SkillBuild challenge and will do my very best to represent both Bloor Homes and Riverside College.”
The annual SkillBuild competition is run by Go Construct, an organisation funded by the construction industry to provide resources for anyone looking for a career in the construction and built environment sector. It also showcases the many rewarding opportunities available and help people from all backgrounds to enter an exciting and growing industry which has a huge impact on the UK’s housing, industry and infrastructure.
Vincent Stokes, Brickwork Lecturer and Assessor at Riverside College, said: “Alfie won Apprentice of the Year because has shown exceptional progress throughout his apprenticeship, alongside outstanding commitment, skill, and professionalism. His enthusiasm for developing his skills, combined with his ability to take feedback on board and immediately apply it, sets him apart. Whether he’s working on complex decorative bonds or setting out independently, his attention to detail is outstanding and his workmanship is of a quality far beyond what we typically see at this stage of training.
“His positive attitude, dedication to the craft, and ability to work both independently and as part of a team alongside other bricklayers, labourers, and site supervisors has earned him respect from colleagues and mentors alike. His success is also down to the excellent guidance and mentoring he receives, from Senior Brickwork lecturer, Carl Atherton at the College, and David Cunningham at Bloor Homes. The environment created by the Apprentice Masters goes above and beyond to support young people like Alfie who are starting out in their career. We’re delighted to put Alfie forward for the SkillBuild Regional Qualifier.”
There are seventeen regional SkillBuild qualifying events across the UK and Northern Ireland. Bricklaying is one of ten categories in the competition – apprentices and full-time students in carpentry, drylining, furniture and cabinet making, joinery, painting and decorating, plastering, roof slating and tiling, stonemasonry, and wall and floor tiling also compete for a place at the SkillBuild National Final.
When all seventeen qualifiers have closed, only the top eight highest scoring competitors from across the country in each category will go through to the SkillBuild National Final held at the end of the year.
For more information about the SkillBuild 2026 competition, visit: goconstruct.org/skillbuild
