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Inspired by heritage. Built by apprentices. You decide the winner.

City & Guilds #NAW2026 Showcase Challenge

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Think you’ve seen it all when it comes to apprentice creativity? 

Think again.

This National Apprenticeship Week, five colleges took on our Showcase Challenge for construction, creating heritage-inspired pieces - without power tools - and within a 3 x 3 metre space. Built entirely by apprentices, each piece in this challenge will be reviewed by our panel of judges and the public with two awards up for winning: The Judges’ Choice Award and the People’s Choice Award.

Who should be crowned champion? Watch the competition entry videos and cast your vote below.


City & Guilds #NAW2026 Showcase Challenge

Watch the competitions entries

Click below to watch all the fantastic Showcase Challenge entries and discover the skills used to create them. You can also find out more about each college and how to get in contact with them for enquiries.

 

Cornwall College

The Cornwall College Group is one of the largest further and higher education providers in the South West of England, serving Cornwall and parts of Devon.

It brings together several specialist institutions, including Cornwall College, Duchy College, Bicton College, and Falmouth Marine School, offering a wide range of courses from entry level to apprenticeships and university-level degrees.

The group is particularly known for strengths in Construction, Land-Based studies, Engineering, Marine, Agriculture and Technical and Vocational Education, working closely with employers to support local skills and economic development.

Find out more

 

Kirklees College

Kirklees College is the only general further education college serving the Kirklees region, delivering high-quality education and training from entry level to advanced study. With a strong focus on creating opportunities and changing lives, the college supports learners across a wide range of full-time and part-time courses, as well as apprenticeships.

Operating across seven specialist centres, including its main campuses in Dewsbury and Huddersfield, Kirklees College serves more than 13,000 students. It is recognised for its strong performance and high achievement rates, fostering a culture of aspiration, inclusion and success for learners and the wider community.        

Find out more

 

New College Durham

New College Durham is the North East’s overall top performing college (NARTs 2025). It is the only North East college in the top 10% nationally for both further education and apprenticeships, and is the top performing college in the North East for adult provision.

Offering everything from short courses and bootcamps, to college courses and university degrees, New College Durham boasts rich and diverse experience in educational excellence.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Find out more

 

Leeds College of Building

Leeds College of Building (LCB) is the only further education college in the UK dedicated exclusively to construction and the built environment. Based in Leeds, it delivers specialist education and training that supports the needs of the construction and engineering sectors locally and nationally.

The college offers a wide range of provision from entry level to degree level, including apprenticeships and adult learning. Working closely with leading employers, LCB is known for its strong industry links, high-quality facilities and focus on technical and vocational excellence.

It is recognised for exceeding national quality standards, holding a Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Silver rating, and providing a safe, supportive environment where learners are encouraged to achieve their goals.

Find out more

 

South Staffordshire College

South Staffordshire College delivers specialist construction training across its Cannock, Rodbaston and Tamworth campuses, preparing learners for careers in the construction and built environment sectors. The college offers hands-on education designed to develop practical skills and real-world experience.

Courses cover a range of disciplines including bricklaying, carpentry, plumbing, electrical installation and green technologies. Taught by industry-experienced staff in professional-standard facilities, South Staffordshire College is recognised for learner success and achievement, including national competition wins, supporting individuals to develop in-demand skills and progress into employment.

                                                                                                                                                                                               

Find out more

 

 



Meet the judges

This year’s Judge's Award is reviewed by our panel celebrated for their knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm in the industry. Discover who they are below:


Dan Wareham

demand for electricians set to soar section imageDan Wareham is CITB’s New Entrant Support Manager for the South of England, with over 15 years’ experience in apprenticeships and further education.

He leads work supporting construction employers to attract, onboard, and retain new talent, providing tailored guidance and practical resources to help new entrants integrate successfully into the workforce.

Jason Howe

demand for electricians set to soar section imageJason Howe is Technical Advisor – Construction and Utilities at City & Guilds, with extensive experience in further education and the construction industry. He provides vital support to colleges across the UK to ensure high-quality training. Jason also works with the Institute of Carpenters to promote membership, engage students, and strengthen connections between colleges and industry across the North East and Yorkshire.

Patrick Craven

demand for electricians set to soar section imagePatrick Craven is Director of Policy at City & Guilds, with over 30 years’ experience in leadership, education, assessment, and workforce development. He champions the creation of a skilled, inclusive workforce and promotes social impact and sustainable practices.

Patrick also serves on the West Midlands Leadership Board for Business in the Community, and many in the industry will recognise him from conference stages and podcasts, where he shares insights on skills development, training, and assessment.

Kristina Smith BEng

demand for electricians set to soar section imageKristina Smith is a construction writer and editor who creates content for magazines and companies across the built environment sector.

As someone who started her career as a site engineer with a major contractor, she has a special interest in construction projects and the people, processes and products that go into delivering them successfully.

                                                                                                                           

Katie Kelleher

demand for electricians set to soar section imageKatie Kelleher is Technical Publications and Careers Manager at the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA). She began her construction career as the first woman on the Lifting Technician Apprenticeship with Select Plant Hire and operated crawler cranes on major infrastructure projects.

A passionate advocate for lifting safety, skills, and workforce wellbeing, Katie is a keynote speaker, panellist, and podcast host. Her work has featured in media including Impossible Engineering, and she has been recognised in the Top 100 Women in Construction and other industry accolades.

Tim Reading

demand for electricians set to soar section imageTim is co-founder and CEO of Volunteer It Yourself (VIY), a social enterprise that enables young people to develop new vocational trade and construction skills while helping to refurbish and retrofit local community spaces and facilities that matter.

He is also a Fellow of the City & Guilds of London Institute.