First all-female apprentice team enters bricklaying challenge 

Lewisham College and Lee Marley Academy are entering the first all-female team to compete in the fourth annual London Apprenticeship Challenge.

The event, established by building product manufacturer Forterra and hosted at Lewisham College, sees 15 London-based apprentice bricklayers compete in teams of three to showcase their skills.

A selection of challenges test the apprentices’ practical skills, time management and ability to fulfil a brief. 

As part of Forterra’s Construction Hub programme the competition uses the company’s donated London Bricks.

Apprentices Morgan O’Sullivan and Millie Boyle are two of the three team members selected from internal competitions. 

Currently in their first year of the two-year course, O’Sullivan and Boyle are both working towards their Level 2 Brick Layer Standard apprenticeship.

O’Sullivan said: “I knew I wanted to be in trade and my dad, who is a carpenter and general builder, played a huge part in choosing to apply for an apprenticeship. I found I was drawn to bricklaying as I like the fact that I can build something and be proud of the final product.

“Through my apprenticeship and by competing in this challenge, I can prove women are just as skilled as men.”

Boyle added: “Like Morgan, I was also inspired by a family member. My grandad, Jim Dockerty used to work for Lee Marley and I always wanted to be a hands-on worker. An apprenticeship just seemed like the natural and best way to get into trade. It’s a fantastic way to earn and learn together. 

“Being entered for this competition is a great opportunity to showcase my skill set and develop confidence.”

The Forterra London Apprenticeship Challenge will take place at Lewisham College on 21 March. Individual and team winners will be selected by a panel of industry experts. 

Bob Noseda, sector skills adviser at Lewisham College, said: “We are thrilled to be able to host the Forterra London Apprentice Challenge again, and can support the all-female team from Lee Marley Academy.

"With less than 500 women in bricklaying roles [according to Office for National Statistics data], encouraging more women to enter the construction world is an important and crucial step into showing this industry can be for everyone.”