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On Friday 13th March 2026, Bury College proudly hosted the Construction category of the GM Skills Competition, welcoming 87 talented students from nine colleges across Greater Manchester. The event brought together some of the region’s most skilled learners, all competing to display their expertise across a range of construction trades, including Plastering, Bricklaying, Carpentry and Joinery, Electrical Installation, Painting and Decorating, and Plumbing.
The competition proved to be highly competitive, with an exceptionally high standard of work demonstrated throughout the day. Students rose to the challenge, applying their technical knowledge, precision, and creativity under pressure, as they completed demanding practical tasks designed to reflect real-world industry scenarios.
Celebrating skill, collaboration and community
The GM Skills Competition once again highlighted collaboration across Greater Manchester’s colleges. Students embraced the opportunity to connect with peers from different institutions, sharing experiences and gaining valuable insight into their chosen trades.
The event also showcased the collective effort of the wider College community. Rehan Sultan, Assistant Director of Construction and Building Services at Bury College, praised the commitment behind the event:
“The staff has been amazing at Bury College putting this event together, the amount of effort they’ve been putting in making it a really good event. It’s not just the Construction staff; we’ve got the Foundation Learners from the Smart Café doing the catering for the event. It’s the full College community coming together.”
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Outstanding achievements by Bury College
Bury College students delivered an impressive performance across multiple categories:
1st Place Achievements:
• Mudasser – Level 1 Bricklaying
• Harrison – Level 2 Bricklaying
• Harrison – Level 2 Carpentry and Joinery
• Lily – Painting and Decorating
• Martin – Level 1 Plumbing
• Dylan – Level 2 Plumbing
2nd Place Achievements:
• Tobias – Level 2 Electrical Installation
• Kiera – Level 2 Painting and Decorating
3rd Place Achievements:
• George – Level 1 Plastering
• Charlie – Level 1 Carpentry and Joinery
A valuable experience for our students
For many students, the competition offered more than just the chance to win, it provided invaluable experience in working under pressure, meeting strict criteria, and being assessed by industry professionals.
Bury College students shared their thoughts on the day:
“It’s been good socialising with other colleges and speaking to the other lads that have chosen to come and compete in the trade.” – George, Level 1 Plastering student
“It’s good to compete with other colleges because you get a level of where your skills are at by competing with other students.” – Harrison, Level 2 Carpentry and Joinery student
“It’s a new experience working under the pressure of people you don’t know who are judging your work and being up against other people with different abilities.” – Kiera, Level 2 Painting and Decorating student
A strong future for construction talent
The GM Skills Competition in Construction was a resounding success, shining a spotlight on the exceptional talent emerging from colleges across Greater Manchester. Events like this play a vital role in preparing students for successful careers in the construction industry, equipping them with the confidence, resilience, and technical expertise needed to thrive.
Congratulations to all participants, and a sincere thank you to the staff, organisers, and supporters who made the event possible.
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