Gold For Wrexham Student As Coleg Cambria Celebrate Medal Haul

Coleg Cambria students brought home more medals again this year from the national finals of the WorldSkills UK Show at Birmingham, a higher number of medals than any other college in the UK.

The college had a strong team of competitors, many with local partner businesses, and a huge proportion came away with either a medal or were highly commended.

Cambria students, representing over a third of the 80-strong Welsh team at the finals won 3 golds, 6 silver, 3 bronze and 2 commendations.
Gold medals were won by Jason Williams, 21 from Meliden, Olivia Crabtree, 21 from Mold and Leigh Clarke, 21 from Wrexham.

Leigh is currently employed by Electroimpact, of Manor Lane, Hawarden as an apprentice Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machinist and won his Gold medal in CNC Milling, meanwhile Ryan Dexter and Joe Harrison who are both also employed by Electroimpact were awarded a Silver and Bronze medal respectively.

All medal winners were as follows:

Registered as Coleg Cambria:-

• GOLD: Jason Williams – inclusive skills ICT level 2
• GOLD: Olivia Crabtree – nail services
• SILVER: Paige Bredford – inclusive skills ICT level 2
• SILVER: Gareth Phillips – Sheet metalwork
• SILVER: Balazs Sparing – Aero Eng: Mechanical
• SILVER: Jessikah Falshaw – Beauty Hands and Face
• BRONZE: Joe Harrison – CNC Milling
• Highly Commended : Chloe Griffiths – Hair
• Highly Commended: Daniel Lee – Sheet Metalwork

Registered through Employers:

• GOLD : Leigh Clark – CNC Milling – Electroimpact
• SILVER : Ryan Dexter – CNC Milling – Electroimpact
• SILVER: Magellan MTC team: Gareth Vale, Liam Hutchinson, Ewan Holley
• BRONZE: Tom Roberts – Aero eng: mechanical – MPI
• BRONZE : JCB MTC team: Kendal Irvine, Dylan Edwards, George Walker

WorldSkills UK are high quality skills competitions that are run annually throughout the UK. These competitions 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.

During the skills show Coleg Cambria also showcased CNC Milling, Sheet Metal Work, Hairdressing, Virtual Reality, Fitness Testing and Entrepreneurship at the event.

Rona Griffiths WorldSkills Manager at Coleg Cambria who’s been supporting the students throughout the process said: “We’ve had a busy, successful time at the Skills show as well as a huge learning experience. WorldSkills is all about developing skills and building confidence.

“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.”

Coleg Cambria Principal and Chief Executive, David Jones said: “Many congratulations to our talented students for their amazing success in Birmingham. We are delighted that they have brought more medals back to Cambria than any other college in the UK.

“It’s truly wonderful that their skills were recognized as the best in their field on the national stage alongside the UK’s most talented apprentices and learners.”