The North West regional heat of this year's SkillBuild, the UK's biggest construction skills competition, is to be hosted by Burnley College on 1 May 2012, it has been announced today.

SkillBuild, a competition managed by CITB-ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council and Industry Training Board for the construction industry, is the largest multi-trade competition in the country for construction trainees and apprentices and showcases the best talent the industry has to offer.

Burnley College will play host to the Lancashire regional heat that will see the region's top trainees battle it out in a wide range of construction trades. Trainees will be put through their paces in their chosen trade at one of 15 regional heats taking place between April and June. The highest scoring students will then win a place at the UK final in September, which will take place at Preston College.

Commenting on the announcement, Russell Buckley, Regional Delivery Manager for CITB-ConstructionSkills in the North West, said:

"We're delighted to announce this year's North West regional heat will be hosted by Burnley College. It's a massive undertaking but we are confident that the heat will be run with the efficiency and professionalism that has made the SkillBuild heats such a success in recent years. We are really looking forward to working with the college to deliver an exciting event.

"The competition is all about celebrating the brilliance and talent of construction trainees who are the lifeblood and future of our industry. It's easy and free to enter so we are calling on employers and colleges to encourage their most talented trainees to come forward and enter the regional heat."

The competition will cover a wide range of construction trades to include; Bricklaying, Plastering, Carpentry, Joinery, Plastering and Dry Wall Systems, Cabinet Making, Wall and Floor Tiling, Painting and Decorating and Reinforced Bituminous Membranes.

Hugh Bramwell, Principal at Burnley College, said:

"We are delighted that our state-of-the-art campus has been chosen to host this elite and prestigious event. A range of innovative technologies and equipment are incorporated into all of our classrooms and workshops, including a dedicated renewable energies centre, and we are looking forward to sharing these facilities with the SkillBuild competitors and their tutors. Our Advanced Level Construction students have a very successful tradition in this competition and we are sure that they will be looking forward to once again testing their skills and knowledge against the top students from across the region. We look forward to the event with great anticipation."

Last year's SkillBuild had over 1,300 competitors and used approximately 8,000 bricks, 9 tonnes of mortar, one articulated lorry full of materials, 15 gallons of paint and 30 cubic metres of wood. Main sponsors for this year's SkillBuild include Crown Paints Ltd and British Gypsum.