In the wake of rising interest in vocational education, New College Durham is celebrating outstanding success after a team of its Level Two apprentices secured the prestigious Judges’ Award at the City & Guilds Apprenticeship Showcase Challenge during National Apprenticeship Week 2026.
The annual Showcase Challenge, a competition uniting five colleges from across the UK, involved the creation of a heritage-themed structure within a limited space—using only traditional hand tools and techniques, without the aid of any power tools.
Simon Muschamp, Head of School – Construction, Automotive and Plumbing said:” This is a very well-earned award. The commitment and enthusiasm from all the apprentices involved was there for all to see and all of the teaching staff here are truly proud of their achievement. It was great to see how they all embraced the task and were genuinely enthused about learning traditional skills and bringing everything together to complete the submitted model. Here at New College Durham, we’re dedicated to giving our students and apprentices the best possible opportunities to thrive in their chosen disciplines and to build their resilience and practical abilities through competitions such as this one.”
Representing New College Durham were Level 2 apprentices in Painting and Decorating Nicole Rowell (Bagnalls Painting & Decorating Contractors) and Ruby Gill (Neil Gill Associates Painters and Decorators Ltd) and Level 2 apprentices in carpentry and joinery, Jay Etherington (T.B.Tarn Ltd and Bradley Ingham (Re:gen Group) The group successfully reflected the college’s integrated, cross-trade approach to skills development.
The team designed and built a heritage A-frame roof structure inspired by 16th-century construction methods. Their meticulous research informed the recreation of timber pillars, canopy supports and a Tudor-era gable, displaying a sophisticated understanding of historic building techniques and materials.
Judges awarded the New College Durham team full marks in multiple categories, including research and development, and complexity and technical challenge.
Kristina Smith, judge and journalist at Construction Management Magazine, praised the high calibre of work across the competition, adding:
“I was really impressed by the variety of work presented in the showcase and the high level of skills that the apprentices exhibited.
New College Durham’s entry ticked all the boxes, demonstrating heritage skills in bricklaying, carpentry, and painting and decorating, and a clear connection to local buildings and to the curriculum.”
Faiza Khan, Chief Brand and Communications Officer at City & Guilds, commented:
“The Showcase Challenge highlights exactly why apprenticeships are so vital to the UK’s future. These projects show remarkable teamwork, problem-solving, and technical skill—qualities that employers tell us they need more than ever.”
This latest achievement highlights the value of industry-relevant apprenticeship training in equipping learners with the technical excellence and practical experience required to succeed in the construction and heritage sectors.