An apprentice bricklayer at the Seddon building group has progressed to the SkillBuild national finals.

The company has heaped praise on 22 year old Jake Horoszczak who, after winning his North West heat, is now west to participate in the national finals of the competition which take place in the autumn.

At the event he will represent both Seddon and Tameside College.

SkillBuild, run by the Construction Industry Training Board, is the UK’s largest multi-trade competition and sees roughly 150 people take part in just the North West heat, with experts from the industry judging the entrants’ skills at Stockport College.

After his success in the regional heats, Jake says he is now looking to fulfil the opportunities given to him by Seddon.

He added that his time as an apprentice with the company has been amazing and that he now feels ready to put all his expertise and training to the test on the biggest stage in the industry as he continues his preparations for this year’s national championships.

The company had previously recognised Jake’s achievements through its yearly Building Skills award scheme in which they described him as ‘one to watch’ for the future.

Jake has developed his skills range by working on the development at Hindley Town Yard for Wigan and Leigh Homes, a project that has an ultimate goal of building eight bungalows and 25 apartments.

Jake’s mentor on the Hindley Town project, Kevin Ripley, said that his apprentice is always getting stuck into the work and ensuring that it is carried out to the highest possible standard.

Meanwhile, Seddon’s Head of Training, Tony Costello, said that there should now be more effort put into plugging skills gaps and that this can be achieved through apprenticeship schemes.

He said that construction companies should try to deliver more apprenticeships to enable people to get hands on training and develop their careers.