Architect Bea Zimelka, part of the winning TeamBuild 2008 team, has called for young professionals across the country to enter TeamBuild 2009.

TeamBuild, supported by ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council for the industry, sees different disciplines work together to solve a real-life construction challenge, over the course of a weekend.

It aims to promote understanding and co-operation between young professionals in the construction industry.

Bea said: "This experience has been hugely beneficial to us as individuals and as a team. We had the most fantastic experience, both professionally and personally. The project was challenging, and we had to stick to a budget as we would in a real situation, so it stretched all of our technical and teamworking skills.

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"To be chosen as winners by some of the most prestigious judges in the industry is the biggest compliment there could be."

A team of judges drawn from the top echelons of industry marks the teams on architectural, landscape, civil, structural, M&E, financial, construction and project management skills.

Construction professionals aged under 30 are now invited to sign up for entry, whether they already have a team or are looking to join one.

Teams of up to six must complete a pre-qualification task and the top nine teams will be invited to stunning Eynsham Hall in Oxfordshire for the finals weekend in November.

Participation in the final weekend counts as four days’ CPD as well as helping competitors fulfil several of the core objectives required for chartered membership of many institutions.

It starts with a masterplan proposal and runs right through the construction process, finishing with the construction stage of a major development.

There are three cash prizes; for the overall winning team, best procurement strategy and a judges’ discretionary prize.

The competition is supported by professional built environment institutions, employers, the Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects and the Worshipful Company of Constructors, among others.

Visit the website www.teambuilduk.com for more information.

Bursary places are available for those unable to meet entry costs – please contact 01460 259776 for more information.

(GK/JM)