Two Chichester College students have secured a double podium finish at the Southern Regional Final of the Guild of Bricklayers National Championships 2026.
Bricklaying students Louis Bennett and Reggie Hughes both finished second in their respective categories at the competition, which was held at Crawley College.
The event brought together more than 20 students from seven colleges across the region, all taking on an industry-standard challenge designed to reflect the skills and knowledge they have developed in the classroom.
Students were split into two categories for the competition. Level two Bricklaying students competed in the junior category, while level three students took part in the senior category.
After the challenge was completed, prizes were awarded to the top three students in each category. The first-place winners will now go on to represent the region at the National Finals in June.
The Southern Regional Final is one of ten regional finals held across the country, all aimed at testing some of the best young builders currently in education.
Louis Bennett said: “It was good and well organised. Unfortunately, I didn’t win, but second is still good. There are quite a few people here; I enjoyed it.”
The top three students from each category also stood alongside organisers from the Guild of Bricklayers as part of the awards presentation.
Steve Southern, National Competition Secretary for the Guild of Bricklayers, added: “We are a charity, formed in 1932, so we are fast approaching our 100-year anniversary. I competed in these finals as a student…We are craftsmen, we love our craft, and to see young people also taking that on is rewarding in itself.”
The result marks a strong showing for Chichester College and highlights the talent coming through in construction trades across the region.
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