Dunlop is launching its Multi-Skill Champion Competition again for 2017, following the success of its inaugural competition last year.

The competition recognises students across the UK taking the City & Guilds Construction Skills (6219) qualification and will culminate in a Grand Final in June, with students tested on their tiling and decorating skills. As an added element this year, finalists will also be tested on their carpentry and joinery skills – a core element of the qualification.

Judges at the Grand Final this year include: award-winning carpenter Nicola Butcher, AKA ‘The Female Chippy’; Wayne de Wet, professional decorator, renowned industry expert and former Dulux Select Decorator of the Year Grand Winner; and Dave Rowley, training manager at Dunlop and lead judge for the national SkillBuild finals for wall and floor tiling.

In June 2016, 14 year-old Kenneth Sylvester from Doncaster College took home the title of Dunlop Multi-Skill Champion 2016 and more than £1000 worth of tools and products after triumphing in the Grand Final at Dunlop’s Innovation and Technology Centre in Stoke-on-Trent.

Debi Boulton, sales and marketing manager at Dunlop, said: “Last year’s competition was a phenomenal success with eighteen students aged from 14 to 40, from colleges across the UK, taking part in our Grand Final.

“Multi-skill students are often overlooked and under supported compared with other trades, but as the tradespeople of tomorrow they deserve support and recognition. This competition is a great way of showcasing their skills and providing them with the tools and training to succeed in their chosen careers.”

Each college that enters the competition will be visited by Dunlop product support technicians to receive free training, as well as a trophy for the individual nominated by the college to compete in the Grand Final.

For more information, or to enter the competition, colleges should email gbirks@building-adhesives.com or phone 01782 591120.