Call for young builders to enter prestigious awards

Young builders have the chance to win a share of £5,000  in Youthbuild UK's National Young Builder of the Year Awards 2008.

Youthbuild UK promotes projects that empower socially excluded young people to undertake vocational training and build better communities, environments, enterprises, homes and facilities for those in need (including themselves).

The National Young Builder of the Year Awards, now in their 11th year, are sponsored by the National House-Building Council, ConstructionSkills, Aspire Housing and the TREES Group. The ceremony will be held at the House of Commons on Tuesday 28 October, 2008.

There are two categories, for young men and women aged 16-25 who are already working in the construction industry; as well as students aged 14-19 undertaking pre-vocational construction studies in school and colleges. The judges are particularly keen to see entries from young people who have made outstanding achievements both professionally and personally over the last year.

Young builders will have to demonstrate that they have attended regularly and punctually, undertaken accredited training in a relevant construction subject, sought additional training, and for the older group, secured a job or a firm job offer.

The overall winner may receive £1500 and the runners-up £500. Prize money can be used by trainees to buy books, tools and to support further training. Please encourage your students to enter. The deadline for entries is Monday 22 September, 2008. For more information and to download an application form visit www.youthbuild-uk.org