MASTER builders have begun a search in Swindon to find young building talent.

The Federation of Master Builders has launched its Apprentice of the Year competition.

Jeremy Chapman, FMB regional director ,said: "There is a shortage of new talent coming into the industry. By highlighting the achievements of apprentices in Swindon and the South West, we want to demonstrate that construction offers a wide variety of excellent and rewarding career options."

Apprentice of the Year is one of eight individual categories in the 2005 Master Builder of the Year Awards. The award is open to any UK building apprentice, who must be nominated by their employer, customer, tutor or by a member of the CITB-Construction Skills regional team.

Entries do not have to be the biggest or most complicated projects; they just need to show the apprentice has used a high level of skill in their chosen trade.

So, if you are a customer who has had great work done by an apprentice, you can find more details and download an entry form at www.findabuilder.co.uk or by calling 08000 152 522 by the May 31 closing date.