TALENTED construction trainees from Bournemouth and Poole College won major titles at the recent Skillbuild contest.

Held this year at Oxford and Cherwell College, the regional contest saw the team progress to the national finals.

Ben Deer took top spot in the senior painting and decorating section while the new entrant category for Year 1, Level 2, was won by Matthew McDonald.

Alicia Keefe, who recently won the Johnstone’s Young Painter of the Year regional final, came third among the seniors. Five hours were allocated to complete the task which combined skills in applying a paint finish and decorative paper.

Tad Barnes displayed his outstanding brickwork in a decorative wall structure and beat all contestants in the new entrant group for this trade.

In the carpentry section, Jake Wilson, who works for Churchview Joinery, was top in the junior section while Josh Barlow from Granton Joinery won the senior section.

Martin Goodchild was judged best in the plastering section with his flawless plaster finish and decorative moulding.

Head of curriculum Mark Loose said: “This was an outstanding performance by all our trainees.

“We are confident they will be tough to beat in the finals due to be held in the autumn.”