Registration is now open for SkillBuild 2026, the UK's largest and longest-running multi-trade skills competition, which is delivered by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).

The competition invites the UK's leading construction trainees, skilled learners, and apprentices to compete for the title of champion in their chosen trade.

Participants can now sign up to compete in one of 17 Regional Qualifiers scheduled to take place across the UK from March to June 2026. There are ten different trades available to choose from, with tutors and employers also able to enter apprentices and learners on their behalf. Notably for Irish competitors, the qualifiers include an event at the Southern Regional College, Northern Ireland, on 19th May 2026.

Each Regional Qualifier lasts a single day, during which apprentices and trainees must complete a set task relevant to their specialist trade. Following the qualifiers, the marks are tallied, and the eight highest-scoring competitors in each trade advance to the next stage: the SkillBuild National Final.

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The CITB's Construction Workforce Outlook projects a significant demand for new personnel, forecasting that over 47,000 extra construction workers are required in the UK each year by 2029. Events like SkillBuild are vital in showcasing the diverse range of roles available in the industry. With Government figures indicating 946,000 people aged 16-24 years old are currently not in education, employment, or training (NEET), there is a clear opportunity to attract fresh talent.

Robert Smith, Product Manager (Careers) at CITB, highlighted the competition's importance: "I look forward to SkillBuild every year and thoroughly enjoy seeing the talent and passion that the competition brings out. SkillBuild is a brilliant chance for construction trainees to show off their skill sets while developing and learning new ones."

Mr Smith also connected the competition to national construction targets: "With the high demand for more construction workers, especially with the Government's plan to build 1.5 million new homes by 2029, SkillBuild is more important than ever to highlight the industry and show what the best and brightest talent have to offer."

He concluded by encouraging participation: "The feedback from those who participate each year is outstanding, and I strongly encourage anyone who can participate to register for this year's competition."

SkillBuild Competition Categories include:

• Bricklaying

• Carpentry

• Drylining

• Furniture and cabinet making

• JoineryPainting and decoratinglastering

• Roof slating and tiling

• Stonemasonry

• Wall and floor tiling

Key Regional Qualifier Dates:

• 7th March 2026 - York College

• 19th March 2026 - City College Plymouth

• 24th March 2026 - Oaklands College

• 31st March 2026 - Dundee and Angus College

• 14th April 2026 - Carlisle College

• 19th May 2026 - Southern Regional College, Northern Ireland

Register to compete in your nearest SkillBuild Regional Qualifier www.goconstruct.org/skillbuild