Apprentices are set to showcase their skills at two competitions run by the national trade body for the painting and decorating industry.
After a year of lockdowns, restrictions and limited social contact, trainees in the industry will get the chance to connect with their peers while battling it out for a national title in a Covid-safe way.
And the winners of both competitions will be announced at industry events hosted by the Painting and Decorating Association (PDA).
The PDA’s Paperhanger of the Year and Apprentice/Trainee of the Year contests will see trainees tackling gruelling tasks at four different events.
The Apprentice Paperhanger of the Year competition is on June 15 at The Hub in Doncaster.
The regional heats of the Apprentice/Trainee of the Year competition will be held at Bournemouth and Poole College on June 11, Coventry College on June 18 and Accrington and Rossendale College on June 25.
PDA Chief Executive, Neil Ogilvie, will act as one of the judges at all four of the competition events.
Past National President of the PDA and member of the Association’s Management Board, Stuart Yates, will join him to judge the Paperhanger contest in Doncaster, while Andrew Davis from the Association of Painting Craft Teachers (APCT) will join him to judge at the three regional heats for Apprentice/Trainee of the Year.
Neil said: “Our competitions offer young trainees the chance to share their experiences, demonstrate their skills and network with other apprentices.
“For some of them, their training, work and social lives have been severely disrupted for more than a year and we will ensure all appropriate Covid-safety measures are in place so they can make the most of the competition experience and the camaraderie they enjoy as participants.
“The generous and continued support of our sponsors allows us to offer these vital opportunities to trainees in the industry.
“Having a chance to shine is more important for these young people than ever and I’m looking forward to judging the competitions and meeting the talented apprentices who are embarking on their career in colour.”
Winners of the Apprentice/Trainee of the Year will be announced at the prestigious Premier Trophy Awards, hosted by the PDA at Plaisterer’s Hall, London, on September 16. Johnstone’s Trade paint, Purdy Professional Painting Tools and CITB are all valued sponsors of the competition.
Winners of the Apprentice Paperhanger of the Year will be announced at the PDA’s National Networking Event at the Liverpool Hilton Hotel on November 19 and 20. The competition is kindly sponsored by Brewers Decorator Centres.