Second in medal table for Coleg Cambria students in WorldSkills UK Finals

Coleg Cambria students brought home more medals again this year from the national finals of the WorldSkills UK Show – placing second in the overall medal table.

The college had a strong team of 27 students and alumni competing in the event in Birmingham’s NEC, with a huge proportion of participants coming away with a medal.

WorldSkills UK are high quality skills competitions that are run annually throughout the UK that aim to encourage young people and adults across the UK to excel in their vocational skill whilst raising esteem, participation and working standards in apprenticeships and vocational training.

Without the support of employers releasing their apprentices to train and compete at the Skills Show, young people would not be able to gain such valuable experience.

Around 250 staff and students from the college’s sites at Bersham Road, Yale and Deeside visited the Skills Show, learning about competitions and supporting the WorldSkills competitors on the Friday of the competition.

All medal winners were as follows:

GOLD : Davey Brookes, Aero Mechanical Engineering – registered through Airbus
SILVER: Emily Watson, Beauty Therapy (Body)
SILVER: Sophie Quirk, Nail Services
SILVER (x3): Kendal Irvine, Dylan Edwards and George Walker, Manufacturing Team Challenge – registered through JCB
SILVER (x3): Sinead Beck, Liam Rock and Lewis Nolan, Manufacturing Team Challenge – registered through Magellan
BRONZE: Callum McLaughlin, CNC Turning – registered through GJ Maintenance Engineering

Adding to medal winners successes, 13 Cambria students have been invited to the Team GB long squad for the WorldSkills world finals in Kazan, Russia, in 2019.

Invitees in the long squad for Kazan 2019:

Davey Brookes – Aero Mechanical Engineering
Balazs Sparing – Aero Mechanical Engineering
Lewys Rawlings – Painting & Decorating
Emily Watson – Beauty Therapy
Josh Jones – Automotive Technology
Ieuan Evans – Construction Metalwork
Charlie Smith – Hairdressing
Kendal Irvine, Dylan Edwards, George Walker – Manufacturing Team Challenge (x 3 members)
Sinead Beck, Liam Rock, Lewis Nolan – Manufacturing Team Challenge (x 3 members)

The event also saw Coleg Cambria’s Deputy Director of Curriculum for Learner Experience and Enterprise, Rona Griffiths, crowned the winner of the Local Heroes Award.

Rona Griffiths, Deputy Director of Curriculum for Learner Experience and Enterprise said: “The Skills Show is a fantastic opportunity for young people to explore exciting careers as well as to watch the top performers compete in their trades.

“All 27 of our students and apprentices represented us as the best in their field – a phenomenal tally and testament to the excellent training that goes on day in, day out at Coleg Cambria.

“I cannot begin to tell you how impressive all our competitors were throughout the 3 days. I’m so proud of each and every competitor and thankful to their trainers, employers and supportive families.”

David Jones OBE, CEO of Coleg Cambria added: “Many congratulations to our talented students for their amazing success in Birmingham. It’s truly wonderful that their skills were recognised as the best in their field on the national stage alongside the UK’s most talented apprentices and learners.

“This year Cambria had the highest number of participants of any college in Wales which reflects the hard word and commitment shown by staff who are involved in a range of activities including supporting competitors, hosting and facilitating showcase stands, judging competitions and accompanying students visits to the show.”

*Pictured: Gold medal winning Davey Brookes, Aero Mechanical Engineering – registered through Airbus