Issue 36 2023 - Journal - Page 26
HES stonemasons win
gold and silver in national
skills competition
Luke Maher and Douglas Stevens take gold and silver medals respectively for stonemasonry
at SkillBuild finals, while James Lewis is highly commended
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is celebrating
success at this year’s SkillBuild construction ‘skills
Olympics’ after two of the organisation’s stonemasons
faced competitors from across the UK to take first and
second place in the national finals in Edinburgh.
Luke Maher, stonemason based at HES’s Doune depot,
was crowned winner in the Stonemasonry competition,
while 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’s up
place. James Lewis, based at the Kildrummy depot, was
also highly commended in the competition.
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."
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 technical abilities, time
management, and commitment. The competition is
viewed by many as an opportunity to develop confidence,
self-esteem, and life skills.
Below, Luke Maher
