10th December 2021

Two South Devon College students were finalists in BMI’s Apprentice of the year competition. 

The competition was a challenging and exciting two-day, pitched and flat roofing competition at the BMI Academy. The winners receive a £1000 prize, a bespoke trophy 3D printed at the BMI Technical Centre and three years’ worth of training support from the BMI Academy.

It was a steep competition, with all 13 pitched and flat roofing finalists demonstrating consistency and excellence in many areas during the event. Competitors were tested on a multitude of subjects including practical demonstration, presentation, business planning, and technical skills.

The competition culminated with the BMI Apprentice of the Year awards dinner where all of the finalists, their tutors, employers, judges and industry stakeholders joined to celebrate the winners of the competition and the future of roofing. 

“We believe supporting the future workforce and celebrating uptake of and talent within apprenticeships to be crucial to the future of roofing”, says BMI Training Manager Matheau Woodyatt.

Speaking at the awards dinner, Paul said, “We want this competition to inspire tomorrow’s roofers and this year’s crop of finalists are hugely inspirational, representing the future of British roofing.

Bailey Howe was one of the eight pitched roofing finalists in the competition and Leon Bray was one of the 5 finalists for flat roofing.They both trained with South Devon College are apprentices to Stormforce Roofing, Plymouth.

Bailey Howe is also a finalist in the Great British Slate Off competition.