APPRENTICE JOINER COMPETES AT SKILLBUILD UK FINALS

Last week Jamie Matthews, 2nd Year Apprentice Joiner, competed at the SkillBuild UK Final - Joinery category held in Milton Keynes and finished fourth.

Jamie is studying NVQ Level 2 at the Northern Regional College (NRC) and recently qualified from the dedicated Mivan Apprentice Workshop to the factory floor. This move has helped Jamie develop more skills, observe more experienced joiners and work on live project work – the first time in his young career. However, Jamie was still given time to practice for the final to ensure he was prepared as possible.

SkillBuild is delivered by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and showcases some of the brightest talent in construction. The prestigious competition brings together highly skilled learners and apprentices to battle it out to be crowned winner of their chosen trade. As each level of competition progresses, competitors are tested on their technical abilities, time management, character, and commitment. Helping to develop confidence, self-esteem, and life skills.

For the second year running, Mivan had a competitor in the Joinery Final, a great testament to the hard work and dedication of the Apprentice Programme.

Jamie did not know what he had to create until the competition began and pleasingly finished the door and frame pictured. Always critical of himself Jamie said, “I was pleased I finished as Conor, who competed last year, told me it was tight on time. However, looking back, I can see some improvements I would make – the counting clock and environment all add pressure, but I hope to get to achieve a place in the final again next year. I wanted to win obviously but was really pleased when the Head Judge told me I had finished fourth.”

John Cunningham, CEO of Mivan, added, “Jamie has a great attitude and brilliant talent for joinery. His enthusiasm is infectious, and I know the more experienced joiners set a high standard for him to reach. Each year I am very impressed by the level of skill on display at the SkillBuild Finals, this programme is critical to the future of the construction industry, and I am confident Mivan will have a competitor again next year. Well done, Jamie.”

Mivan has over 45 years’ experience creating luxury interior experiences for our clients. Working collaboratively with architects, designers, contractors, and suppliers to deliver excellence in everything that we do. The company successfully operates in a broad range of sectors including luxury hotels, prime residential, museums, stadiums, arenas, commercial offices, modular solutions and marine.