Stone Federation would like to congratulate one of the 2014 UK Masonry Skills Challenge competitors, Sam Turner, for taking the bronze medal in architectural stonemasonry at WorldSkills 2015, the biggest vocational education and skills excellence event in the world.
Sam, who studied at the stonemasonry department of York College fought off stiff competition from across the world at the event in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Currently an apprentice at York College, Sam has trained for the competition under the watchful eye of the UK WorldSKills Trainer, Kevin Calpin, a former York College stonemasonry tutor.
Sam’s journey to the World Skills stage began at the Southern heat of the 2014 UK Masonry Skills Challenge at Moulton College. Sam was part of the team from York College that went on to take second place in the overall college rankings and came 7th in the individual rankings.
Once at WorldSkills, Sam worked for 22 hours to complete a piece of stonemasonry, based upon the template provided which included lettering and carving.
The Federation’s Chief Executive Jane Buxey said of Sam’s triumph,
“It is fantastic to see a home grown stonemasonry talent holding his own on the world stage. The craft of stonemasonry is an invaluable asset to the construction and architectural industries, and to see it recognised and celebrated alongside more modern skills such as electronics is very encouraging.”
