The annual Painting and Decorating Association visited the Gravesend campus to host the Apprentice of the Year competition, it offers current apprentices from across the UK the opportunity to test their skills within the trade.
The Apprentice of the Year competition is a six-hour contest with three regional heats (Northern, Midlands & Southern) where competitors are tasked with replicating a particular design, testing not only their accuracy and endurance but their ability to perform under pressure.
Each design will be judged and marked resulting in finalists being invited to the Premier Trophy Awards Ceremony at Plaisterers’ Hall, London, where the winner is announced.
Neil Ogilvie, Chief Executive of the PDA, said: “It was great to be at North Kent College for the Apprentice of the Year competition for the first time.
“The quality of entries this year has been outstanding. These young people have really showcased their talent and professionalism and we’re all looking forward to judging their excellent work.
He continued, “I’d like to thank our sponsors CITB, Purdy Professional Painting Tools, Brewers Decorating Centres and Tesa.”
Karen Wyatt, Head of Curriculum for Construction and Built Environment said “This year we have been honoured to host the painting and decorating awards for apprentices. It gives opportunities to link with employers and tutors across the region to show development of the painting apprentices; and for others to see what a great trade to follow it can be.”