Ayrshire bricklayer qualifies for UK’s top construction competition

Persimmon apprentice Chantelle Muir has been named a finalist in the SkillBuild National Final 2025, the UK’s largest and most prestigious construction skills competition.

Chantelle, a bricklaying apprentice from the Persimmon Homes West Scotland region, secured her spot after impressing judges at the Scottish regional qualifier held at Dundee and Angus College in June. She will now compete for the title of best young bricklayer in Britain at the national final on 19–20 November at Arena MK in Milton Keynes—battling it out against the UK’s top apprentices in a test of precision, technical ability, and professionalism.

Chantelle is the only female competitor in the bricklaying final, underlining her trailblazing progress in a traditionally male-dominated trade.

SkillBuild, delivered by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), is often described as the ‘skills Olympics’ for construction. The 2025 competition saw over 1,000 entrants across 10 different trades, with only the highest-scoring competitors from 16 regional qualifiers earning a place in the national final.

Chantelle’s selection highlights both her outstanding individual talent and the strength of Persimmon’s apprenticeship programme.

She began her apprenticeship with Persimmon in 2023 and combines on-site experience with her studies at Ayrshire College, through a partnership that helps develop Scotland’s next generation of skilled tradespeople. Chantelle is one of over 49 apprentices currently supported by Persimmon across Scotland, as the five-star builder continues to invest in building a highly skilled and diverse construction workforce.

Chantelle said “It means a lot to reach the final, especially as the only woman in the bricklaying competition. I’ve worked really hard and had fantastic support from my site team and college.

“I want to show that if you’ve got the talent and determination, there’s a place for you in construction—whoever you are. I’m excited to represent Persimmon and Ayrshire College on the national stage.”

Persimmon is one of the largest providers of construction apprenticeships in Scotland, partnering with more colleges than most other home builders and offering industry-leading pay and hands-on experience in trades including bricklaying, joinery, painting and decorating, and roofing.