Painting & Decorating returns for its second year, joined by the brand-new Carpentry & Joinery Learner of the Year Competition
BTX Magazine is excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2026 Learner of the Year competitions – celebrating the very best young talent in the construction trades. Following the huge success of the inaugural BTX Painting & Decorating Learner of the Year in 2025, the competition will return for its second year alongside the launch of a brand-new contest: BTX Carpentry & Joinery Learner of the Year.
Both competitions provide students and apprentices in the construction trade with the opportunity to showcase their technical skills, grow in confidence, and compete for prestigious national titles – with fantastic prizes donated by leading industry sponsors.
BTX Painting & Decorating Learner of the Year 2026
Level 2 and 3 learners from across the UK will compete in two regional heats before advancing to the Grand Final in April 2026. The competition, designed and judged by the Association of Painting Craft Teachers (APCT), challenges entrants to complete a demanding practical test under timed conditions – replicating real-world pressures faced on site.
Reflecting on the final, last year’s winner Romilly Oliver from Multi Trades Training Ltd said:
“I enjoyed it… It’s really good for young apprentices when they’re going to be starting their own businesses, even just some vouchers or some equipment that they didn’t have before, that is so useful to young people and to know that they’re being supported by the big names in this industry is really good.”
Zoe Tanner, Managing Director at BTX, commented: “The inaugural BTX Painting & Decorating Learner of the Year final has been a remarkable showcase of hands-on expertise and creative precision within the trade. Each finalist demonstrated outstanding skill, attention to detail, and professionalism while working under realistic, time-pressured conditions. The standard of work sets a high benchmark for future competitions and reflects the exciting future of the painting and decorating industry.”
BTX Carpentry & Joinery Learner of the Year 2026
New for 2026, BTX is launching the Carpentry & Joinery Learner of the Year, opening the door for talented apprentices and students in another essential trade to gain recognition on a national stage. The structure will mirror that of Painting & Decorating, with two regional heats leading to a Grand Final where finalists will take on a set carpentry and joinery challenge designed to showcase accuracy, technical ability, and attention to detail.
How to Enter
The deadline for entries is the 28th of November 2025.
For more information or to enter the competitions, click here.
Follow the competitions on social media – search for @btx_uk and use the hashtags #BTXLOY26, #BTXPAINT26 and #BTXCARPENTRY26.
