Apprentice selected for 'brickie Olympics'

A bricklayer from Shrewsbury says he is dreaming of winning gold as he prepares to represent Team UK at an Olympics-style event that tests the skills of young tradespeople.

Joe Shingler, a Shrewsbury College apprentice, has been selected to take part in Worldskills in Shanghai after winning regional and national competitions to qualify.

"I've loved bricklaying ever since I was 15 and I first started [by] helping my dad build the house that he lives in now", he told the BBC.

WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 takes place from 22 until 27 September and features about 1,500 young people from more than 80 countries.

Participants will find out what they are required to build on the day of competition, with points docked for every millimetre they are away from perfection.

Shingler, 21, said: "Accuracy is a massive, massive part of bricklaying. Appearance of the brickwork is big so we get marked on our level, our plumb, accuracy and overall dimensions by judges from across the world.

"I love how it just pushes you. Everyday you're thinking 'what can I do more'?"

Participants have a time limit of 22 hours over three days with an audience of 250,000 expected in the crowd.

Stuart Raine, curriculum director of construction at the college, said they were delighted Shingler had been selected to compete.

"He has worked extremely hard," Raine said. "He has enjoyed the challenge of getting this far and is keen to continue his success to date in Shanghai.

"He was good at 16 and you could tell he'd got that thing about him that made him stand out."

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