Students from the Isle of Man and Jersey are to go head to head in a skills test.

They will compete in painting and decorating, plumbing, bricklaying, carpentry and joinery, electrical installation and horticulture.

Corelli Bentham, the construction programme manager, said: ’Skills Test has certainly grown in momentum since we started it four years ago.

’We are thrilled that students from the Highlands College Jersey will be joining us this year and hopefully we get more off-island competitors next year.

Another addition to this year’s competition is that some of the items produced by the students during the competition will be auctioned at the end of the day and proceeds donated to six charities: the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Monitors for Kids, Craigs Heart Strong Foundation, Autism Initiative, Heroes on the Water and Dan Kneen.

The competition is supported by local businesses within the construction sector, with Construction Federation and Haven Homes being the main sponsors for the event this year.

Schools, construction-related businesses and the general public are invited to the event.

’Our students are so excited about the competition.

’It is a great opportunity for them to show off their skills and expertise in their respective craft professions and win some great prizes. We would like to invite as many people possible to come along to support the competition where the island’s future construction professionals will be at their best."’

Skills Test 2019 will take place in the Baillie Scott Wing, UCM, Homefield Road, from 10.30am to 4.30pm on Friday, March 15.

For more information about the event, contact [email protected] or call the programme area secretary on 648205.