Stonemason carves a name for himself at national SkillBuild awards

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Doune-based stonemason has taken top spot at a national competition.Luke Maher of Historic Environment Scotland’s Doune depot was crowned winner in the Stonemasonry competition of the SkillBuild finals.Commenting on his win, Luke said: “It feels good winning gold as the competition is so high at this event.

You’re competing against the top seven apprentices in the whole UK.“It makes all the hard work and stress – not just from myself, but everyone involved – worth it.“This is the second time I’ve competed in the WorldSkills competition and one of things I enjoy most about them is chatting to other apprentices from around the UK and hearing the different kind of jobs they’re doing and their experience as an apprentice.“The time management and coping with stress skills you develop throughout these competitions I think are beneficial not only now, but for my career going forward.“A big thank you to everyone who has helped and supported me throughout this experience.”Douglas Stevens, formerly a stonemason based at HES’s Perth depot and now one of the organisation’s Traditional Skills Training Officers, took the runner-up spot.

James Lewis, based at the HES Kildrummy depot, was also highly commended in the competition.The stonemasons competed alongside two other HES-trained apprentices in the national finals, Marcus Nicol (AGM Stone) and Calum Peach (Tamara).SkillBuild, delivered by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) in partnership with WorldSkills UK, is the largest multi-trade competition in the UK for construction trainees and apprentices.

It offers a chance for trainees to compete in a bid to be crowned winner of their chosen trade. As competitors progress through each stage, they are tested on their