A CARPENTRY and joinery apprentice has built on his success to win a regional heat in a national competition.

Ben Dixon, who is a second year apprentice who trains through Furness College, came top in the SkillBuild site carpentry senior competition at an event in Rochdale.

The 19-year-old, of Haverigg, who is a Construction Industry Training Board apprentice at Samuel Sheldon building contractors in Millom, added to his win in the junior section last year by achieving the highest score in the task to build a structure from a drawing.

Graeme Shaw, curriculum lead for construction at the Channelside campus, said Ben beat competition from a dozen other students to take the top spot.

Mr Shaw said: “Ben has done extremely well and showed a very high level of skill to achieve first place in this prestigious competition.

"He is a second year student and most were third years, so he is really punching above his weight.”

Allen Gaskell, CITB apprenticeship officer, said: “We are delighted with Ben’s win and how he is progressing on his course. His excellent skills reflect the high quality of training CITB apprentices receive at Furness College.”

The apprentice must now wait to see if his score qualifies him for the national final at the NEC in Birmingham later this year.