Local Employers Put Our Level 2 Bricklayers to the Test

Our Level 2 Bricklaying learners showed what they can do on Monday 19th October, when local construction businesses came to our Princes Road campus to judge their work.

Each learner chose a brick pattern and built it as a wall, and a panel of industry judges assessed the finished walls.

Congratulations to George Smith, who took first place, and to Mercedes Wallis and Luke Smith, our joint runners-up.

Thank you to our partners

A big thank you to Chandler for supplying the bricks and to Toolchimp for donating the prizes. Our judging panel was:

• Kevin Wadeson, owner of K.A.W Brickwork, Southend-on-Sea
• John Curran, Toolchimp
• David Eversden, Toolchimp
• Robert Howes, Chandlerd
• Wendy Johnson, Head of Department (Construction, Engineering and Retrofit), Chelmsford College

Kevin has almost 50 years of experience in bricklaying. He said: "It's a real pleasure to be involved in today's competition and see the talent coming through the next generation of bricklayers. Bricklaying is a skill that takes time, dedication and pride in your work to master, so it's brilliant to see young people getting involved and showcasing what they can do."

Skills Essex Needs

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) forecasts that the UK will need an average of 41,200 extra construction workers every year between 2026 and 2030, and bricklayers are among the hardest trades for employers to recruit. Construction is also a priority sector in the Essex Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP). Our learners are training for skills local employers need now.

Gary Middleweek, our Bricklaying Tutor, said: "Competitions like this push our learners to work to a real industry standard. Having employers on the panel means they get honest feedback from the people who could be hiring them, and that makes a real difference to their confidence."

Work With Us

Sarah Hamilton, our Chief Innovation & Growth Officer, said: "Local businesses know better than anyone what skills they need. When they come into college to judge, teach or offer work experience, they help shape the workforce they will be hiring from. We want more employers in Essex to get involved."

There are lots of ways your business can get involved:

• Give a guest lecture or masterclass
• Offer work experience or an industry placement
• Join one of our industry advisory boards
• Support a competition with materials, prizes or judging

To find out more, contact Sarah Hamilton at hamiltons@chelmsford.ac.uk.

Interested in Bricklaying?

Find out more about our construction courses at our next Showcase Open Evening on Wednesday 4th November 2026, 6.00 – 8.30pm. Chelmsford College Events & Open Evenings | Chelmsford College