An Oxford teenager beat more than 1,000 young construction apprentices to win a top award, which could mean a trip to Canada next year.

Adam Bushnell, 18, who works for Rosewood Joinery, in Kennington, and studies at Oxford and Cherwell Valley College, competed in the joinery section of SkillBuild, which was held in Leeds last month.

Competitors had to carry out a project in a set timeframe, from plans distributed on the day.

The results were judged by industry experts.

Adam, who lives in Cumnor, said: “It feels great to win.

“It was an 18-hour competition over three days. It was really hard work, not easy and very stressful.

“I had to make a door with a window, which had to be able to hang.

“We got given the drawings and everything had to be millimetre-perfect.

“I was really surprised when I heard I had won because a lot of the other competitors had more experience. I think it was very close.”

SkillBuild aims to encourage young people to consider a career in construction and boost the skills of those already in training.

Competition chairman Martyn Price said: “We were delighted with the level of expertise and commitment shown by Britain's construction apprentices. Adam demonstrated his skill exceptionally in the joinery category and will no doubt have a successful career in construction.”

Stuart Brock, a spokesman for competition sponsor Stabila, said: "It's a pleasure to see so many students who are achieving the level of skill that they and their colleges should be very proud of."

The SkillBuild final was the culmination of 11 regional heats.

More than 1,000 apprentices from across the country, aged from 17 to 22, took part.

Categories included bricklaying, cabinet making, carpentry, joinery, painting and decorating, plastering, stone masonry, roof slating and tiling, roof sheeting and cladding, felt roofing, reinforced bitumen membrane roofing, and wall and floor tiling.

Some of the winners will now have the chance to represent the UK at WorldSkills, which takes place every two years.

The 2009 competition will be held in Calgary in Canada and in 2010 it is being held in the UK.

Adam, a former Matthew Arnold School pupil, said he was one of seven apprentices who could represent the country for joinery in the competition.