College hosts regional round of decorating challenge

Accrington and Rossendale College played host to the Northern round of the Painting and Decorating Association's apprenticeship challenge.

The competition is now in its 35th year and it is the tenth time that it has taken place at the college.

This year, 13 apprentices batted it out in the college’s newly refurbished workshop. The winners will be announced at the PDA’s Premier Trophy Awards, a glittering ceremony held at Plaisterers’ Hall, London, in July.

The competition judges are PDA chief executive, Neil Ogilvie and Andrew Davis of the Association of Painting Craft Teachers (APCT).

Neil Ogilvie said: “2024 is a landmark year for the PDA which celebrates 35 years of the Premier Trophy Awards and Apprentice of the Year competition, as well as the 130th anniversary of the Association itself.

“The competition event at Accrington and Rossendale College was an excellent day, with both junior and senior apprentices demonstrating their skills as well as taking the opportunity to network with their peers.

“Apprentices really value this experience, which is sponsored by Purdy Professional Painting Tools and supported by Dulux Trade and CITB.

“With just six hours to transform a large blank board into a copy of a complex image designed to test their precision, stamina and skill, the competition has become a proving ground for young people embarking on a career in colour.”

The event at Accrington and Rossendale College is one of four regional heats. The first two took place at North Kent College in March and City of Glasgow College in April, with a further round at South City College Birmingham this month ahead of the Grand Final at Doncaster College and University Centre in June.

Simon Whitaker, curriculum leader for painting and decorating at Accrington and Rossendale College said: "Apprentices from across the region are coming here to test their skills against each other - this type of skills competition adds that pressure, helps them to remain focused, to concentrate and takes their learning to the next level.

“Here at Accrington and Rossendale College, we’ve just undergone a £3m refurbishment, which has included a brand-new state-of-the-art painting and decorating workshop. We’ve got cutting edge equipment and we’re working really hard to make sure every learner gets the best experience possible."