Amelia Kokosa is now looking for a job – and has added ‘National Junior Bricklaying Champion’ to her C.V.
Amelia Kokosa, with Paul Brigg the president of the Guild of Bricklayers (Image: Submitted)
A bricklaying apprentice from Hull has been named best female junior bricklayer in the country, bringing a national title back to East Yorkshire.
Amelia Kokosa, an apprentice with Hull-based OTE Construction Training, took the top spot in the female section at the Guild of Bricklayers National Golden Trowel finals, held at the Leeds College of Building.
Amelia’s victory comes after an exceptional journey with OTE Construction Training, which specializes in helping young people across the Humber region realise their potential through trade qualifications. Leaders at the training provider, which is based on New Cleveland Street, have praised her dedication, noting how far she has come since first walking through their doors as a pre-apprentice learner.
Sharing the spotlight was fellow OTE apprentice Ash Faraji, who competed fiercely in the highly competitive Junior division. Despite his natural aversion to working under the watchful eye of a crowd, Ash—who previously won the Yorkshire regional heat to qualify—pushed past his comfort zone to represent Hull on the national stage.
While he narrowly missed out on a top-three finish, training staff expressed immense pride in his progress and highlighted the vital role played by his employer and mentor, Paul Hannon of Hannon Brickwork. A third senior finalist from the academy qualified but ultimately chose not to face the intense pressure of the national final.
Speaking on the double-success at the finals, a spokesperson for OTE Construction Training said: “We are so proud of what we do at OTE, and we are so very proud of both Ash and Amelia. Seeing Amelia take the top spot nationally is incredible. If businesses in the Hull area are looking to take on an apprentice, please get in touch—you could literally be employing a national bricklaying champion.”
OTE Construction Training operates out of a 12,000 sq ft facility in Hull, supporting young people—often from disadvantaged backgrounds—by equipping them with the confidence, life skills, and professional standards required to sustain long-term careers in construction. Local employers looking to support or hire the next generation of award-winning trade talent are encouraged to contact OTE.
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