A former CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) apprentice at Derby College has won the silver medal in a prestigious national bricklaying competition and now has his sights set on qualifying for the UK team.

Jordan Richards (20) from Awsworth represented CITB and the College in the three-day UK Skillbuild final at Birmingham’s NEC National Skills Show (Thursday November 17 to 19) and came second to a competitor from Northern Ireland.

He was part of the eight-strong line up of students and apprentices from colleges throughout the UK and tackled an intricate brickwork challenge to test accuracy, creativity and time management.

Competition medallists and now in the running to join the UK Skillbuild team which trains for forthcoming international competitions around the world.

Jordan, who works for Derby-based construction company CJ Goodwin, is no stranger to the competition circuit.  He has already won several titles at junior and senior levels including a gold medal in the Guild of Bricklayers national competition earlier this year.

Jordan joined Derby College when he was 16 as a full time student at the Ilkeston campus and then served his apprenticeship with GF Tomlinson – attending College on day release.

Jordan said: “It was a really tough challenge and very long days but I am pleased with how I did.  It would have been better to get the gold but I am happy with the silver medal.”

Derby College’s Head of Construction Tracey Hutchinson added: “The whole construction team have been supporting Jordan through his learner journey with us and many of the staff travelled over to Birmingham to give him moral support.

“We are extremely proud of Jordan and are keeping our fingers crossed that he will now following the footsteps of previous Derby College apprentices who have been chosen for further training with the UK Skillbuild programme.”