College Celebrates Guild of Bricklayers Regional Win

A Leeds College of Building apprentice is elated after winning 1st place at the Guild of Bricklayers Yorkshire Region Brickwork Competition.

Ellis Smith, a bricklayer apprentice at Hirst Developments, clinched the title on 1st April at Kirklees College Brunel Construction Centre after a hard-fought battle against regional competitors. Ellis now lands a place in the Guild of Bricklayers national final at Sunderland College on 5th June 2025

The annual regional competitions are an established platform for students to showcase their skills, compete against peers, and gain recognition in the industry. Seasoned bricklayers to those just starting out in their career display exceptional abilities while gaining invaluable experience and exposure. Damien Mason-Harding, Leeds College of Building Curriculum Manager, said:

“I was thrilled to see the astonishing talent presented at the regional heat. Ellis showed incredible skill, dedication and professionalism, and this achievement is a true testament to the hard work he put in. A huge well done also goes to his tutor, Wayne Richardson, whose expert guidance and commitment have been invaluable.

“Importantly, this success also reflects the brilliant team effort behind the scenes. The entire Brickwork team and our dedicated facilitators have all played a vital role in supporting Ellis’s journey – from developing skills in the workshop to creating the right environment for success.”

Student volunteers kept the competition running smoothly, mixing over 14 tubs of mortar so every competitor was equipped throughout the day. After many hours of hard work and determination, Ellis swept to victory, producing the top senior model.

Leeds College of Building Bricklaying Tutor, Wayne Richardson, added:

“Well done to all the apprentices that attended college during half term to hone their skills before the competition. Ellis Smith, Elliot Rhodes, Sid Brook, and Joseph Denning showed exceptional dedication by coming in to practice for the SkillBuild and Guild of Bricklayers competitions. Their hard work and commitment were evident in the high standard of work they produced, demonstrating both skill and precision.

“Throughout the week, they worked incredibly well together, pushing themselves to improve and refine their techniques. It was an enjoyable and rewarding experience, with the satisfaction of seeing their progress making the effort even more worthwhile. Hats off to them for their outstanding work and dedication!”

The Guild of Bricklayers was founded in 1932 with the aims of promoting and maintaining the highest standards of craftsmanship in Brickwork. The Guild runs regional competitions yearly, with the industry titles now a sought-after accolade for winners, colleges, and tutors. Generous sponsors donated materials and prizes for the event, including Footprint Tools, Jewson, MPA Mortar, Fell Promotions, STABILA, Grayson (GB) Ltd, Harris Brick Safety Systems, Willmott Dixon Construction Ltd, Tilgear, City & Guilds, Build Fast, BTTB, Dovetail & Slate, Wienerberger UK, and Kirklees College.

Find out more about Bricklayer Apprenticeships on the Leeds College of Building website or learn more about the range of other rewarding construction and built environment apprenticeships that are available.