Last week, Level 2 Brickwork learner, Izzy Tanner, competed in the Guild of Bricklayers competition at New College Swindon, demonstrating an excellent level of skill and professionalism.

The Guild of Bricklayers aims to promote and uphold the highest standards of craftsmanship in brickwork. The Guild annually organises Junior and Senior regional heats through the UK’s Construction college network, with the support of industry partnerships. These competitions bring together bricklaying professionals from all over the UK to further develop their skills and confidence.

During the competition, Izzy encountered some challenges, identifying an issue with her build in which she made the difficult decision to take her wall down completely and start again from scratch as opposed to trying to patch and adjust to rescue the build. This display of problem-solving showed the high-quality that Izzy maintains throughout her work, knowing that a quick fix wouldn’t meet the benchmark standard that her work reflects.

By the end of the competition, Izzy had rebuilt two-thirds of her wall to a much higher standard, taking the time to be precise and careful, with a strong focus on quality. She displayed the importance of finishing properly as opposed to finishing first, and that the integrity of her work was more valuable than completing a job that didn’t meet her standard of work.

Although Izzy didn’t place, she displayed an excellent amount of resilience, confidence, and professional judgement, working well under pressure and producing a high-quality build even in the face of adversities. Her attention to detail and determination stood out in the competition, showing the importance of not just who wins, but how students approach the task with accuracy and thought.

Competitions like this are a fantastic opportunity for students to meet likeminded individuals and build on constructive feedback from industry professionals, making their work even stronger and preparing them for a career in bricklaying. We encourage as many of our students as possible to take part in enriching competitions like this to develop their confidence, expose them to industry standards, and provide them with networking opportunities.

Izzy reflected on her work following the competition, saying, “I’m so pleased I started again. I feel a lot better about the work I’ve done, and proud that in college I may have had to walk away, but today I didn’t."

Richard Hanney, Head of Construction at Weston College, said, “Izzy has overcome several barriers on her journey, but this was another moment worth celebrating, not just for the outcome, but for the character she displayed. It is important that our students develop not only the skills and precision required to succeed in the industry, but also build the qualities and attributes that will set them apart from others and reflect their enthusiasm for their work, and it was great to see Izzy embody that.”

A huge well done to Izzy and to the Construction team who have worked with her and supported her journey!

This competition forms part of the Construction Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys. 

Progress to the next level in Construction! At University Centre Weston (UCW) our students give us impressive feedback, with our latest National Student Survey results putting us above average in all nine areas! Find out more about our exceptional teaching, wellbeing services and learning resources by visiting our website. Click here!

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