Chairman of the Guild of Bricklayers Visits Rotherham College

Rotherham College was delighted to welcome Philip Hodgkinson, Chairman of the Guild of Bricklayers, for a visit to our newly developed construction facilities.

The visit provided a valuable opportunity for staff to engage directly with a leading figure from the bricklaying industry about their up-coming inter-college competition.

During the visit, Philip met with teaching staff and students to discuss an exciting upcoming bricklaying competition, which will take place on 2nd April in Hull and is proudly sponsored by Graysons. Organised by the Guild of Bricklayers, the competition will see colleges from across the country competing against one another across a range of skill-based categories, celebrating excellence, precision, and craftsmanship within the trade.

Philip was given a tour of Rotherham College’s brand new facilities, where students showcased their current projects and demonstrated the high standards of practical skill being developed through their training.

Being exposed to industry leaders and professional bodies such as the Guild of Bricklayers is hugely beneficial for students. It helps bridge the gap between education and employment, giving learners a clearer understanding of industry standards while building confidence, motivation, and professional pride in their work.

Opportunities like this also reinforce the importance of quality, accuracy, and craftsmanship – values that sit at the heart of the bricklaying profession.

A Guild is a professional organisation that represents and supports a skilled trade. Guilds play a vital role in maintaining high standards, promoting excellence, supporting training and competitions, and connecting education providers with industry. The Guild of Bricklayers, in particular, works to champion the trade, encourage new talent, and ensure skills are passed on to the next generation of bricklayers.

It was a pleasure to welcome Philip Hodgkinson to Rotherham College and to showcase the impressive work of our students. We are excited to be entering the Guild of Bricklayers competition in April and look forward to seeing our students represent the College on the regional stage.

Find out more about bricklaying courses at Rotherham College here