THOUSANDS of brick have been donated by a national firm to York College to help find the best trainee bricklayer in the UK.

Building products manufacturer Forterra has donated thousands of bricks the college as part of the SkillBuild competition to find the best trainee construction talent in the country.

Bricklaying students take part in the2018 Regional Heat at York College, using Forterra’s London Bricks.

SkillBuild, which is run by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), has been running for 50 years and is the largest multi-trade competition in the country, covering 10 trade occupations including bricklaying, carpentry, plastering and roofing.

Regional heats of the competition have taken place around the UK, in which construction students compete to be crowned the SkillBuild winner in their chosen trade.

Ashley Stokes, team leader for Construction at York College, said: “We are very grateful that Forterra has generously provided its bricks for the 2018 SkillBuild regional heat, which took place here on our campus.”

In total, Forterra has donated more than 35,000 of its iconic London Bricks to colleges in cities including London, Newcastle, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Birmingham, Brighton, Leicester and York, for the regional heats ,which concluded this month.

Forterra will also be providing bricks for the SkillBuild UK final, which takes place in autumn this year.

Oliver Farrell, CITB Assistant Product Manager, said: “SkillBuild is a great way for young people to start a rewarding career in construction.

“The sector has a lot of opportunity.

“Our Construction Skills Network forecast shows that 158,000 jobs will be created in the UK between now and 2022.

“As part of SkillBuild, competitors are tested not only on their technical abilities, but on their time-management, character and commitment.

“The competitions can also help students build their confidence, self-esteem and life skills.”