CONSTRUCTION trainees and apprentices from across the South East competed in a skills event at an Oxford college.

About 60 students from 16 colleges visited Oxford & Cherwell Valley College's campus in Cuddesdon Way, Blackbird Leys, on Thursday.

Among entrants in the SkillBuild event was the college’s Lewis Charlett-Day, who came second in the joinery (new entrant) category.

Lewis, 17, said: “It was a really good experience to learn new skills and better myself as a joiner.” The regional heat was run by construction social enterprise CITB, the Sector Skills Council and Industry Training Board. A final will be held later this year.

Regional delivery manager for CITB Gillian Cain said: “SkillBuild is a real highlight of the construction training landscape, giving talented young construction trainees a chance to shine and demonstrating the opportunities that learning a trade can offer.”