Chichester College Students Secure Double Silver at Regional Bricklaying Finals  

It was a double podium finish for students from Chichester College as they took part in the Southern Regional Final of the Guild of Bricklayers National Championships 2026.  

Louis Bennett and Reggie Hughes, two bricklaying students, both finished second in their respective categories at the challenging competition.  

The competition, held at Crawley College, saw over 20 students from seven colleges come together to take on an industry-standard challenge designed to reflect the knowledge developed in the classroom.  

Students were divided into two categories, with level two Bricklaying students participating in the junior category and level three students participating in the senior category.  

After completing the challenge, prizes were awarded for the top three students in each category, with the first-place winners in each category invited to represent the region at the National Finals in June.  

The Southern Regional Finals form one of ten regional finals held up and down the country, all designed to test the very best young builders in education.  

Louis Bennet said:  
“It was good and well organised. Unfortunately, I didn’t win, but second is still good. There are quite a few people here; I enjoyed it.”  

Steve Southern, National Competition Secretary for the Guild of Bricklayers, added:  
“We are a charity, formed in 1932, so we are fast approaching our 100-year anniversary. I competed in these finals as a student…We are craftsmen, we love our craft, and to see young people also taking that on is rewarding in itself.”  

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