CARMARTHENSHIRE learners have been rewarded for their successes at two major skills competitions, in an event celebrating talent across Wales. Winners gathered at St David’s Hotel and Spa in Cardiff Bay to be honoured for their achievements at Skills Competition Wales and The Skills Show.
The event saw Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Julie James, hand out medals to 39 students, trainees, apprentices and employees who all won at the competitions in2014.Coleg Sir Gar students and graduates Jake Davies, Andrew Davies, Bruno Forkuoh, James Stallard and Nidjet Miles, each took medals after triumphing in their chosen skill sector. The Deputy Minister said: “This event is about celebrating the successes of our Welsh winners at Skills Competition Wales and The Skills Show, a group of people who will now act as role models to young people in Wales.
These competitions help drive up standards in vocational skills and help us showcase the talent we have in Wales all over the world. We’re showing that we have talented students, trainees, apprentices and employees and we have forward thinking training companies, colleges and employers. These competition winners are a testament to what can be achieved through dogged determination as well as skill. “During Skills Competition Wales, the country’s most talented apprentices, employees and learners battled it out in competitions ranging from reflexology to web development to be named the ‘best in Wales’ in their chosen skill.
Initially, entrants competed against colleagues within their college and the best were then entered to compete at a national level, as part of heats organised within colleges across Wales by Skills Competition Wales (SCW).In addition, The Skills Show, at the NEC in Birmingham then saw over600 participants from across the Uptake part in more than 60 competitions to be named the ‘best in the UK’.Nidjet, 18, from Ammanford, earned a silver in the industrial electronics category at Skills Competition Wales.
Andrew, 23, from Cross hands; Bruno, 22, from Llanelli; and James,20, from Upper Tumble, took silver in the manufacturing team challenge category at The Skills Show; joined by Jake Connor, 19, from Llanelli, who was highly commended at the event in IT software solutions for business. Jake, who is studying for a level three extended diploma, said: “Taking part in The Skills Show has helped me with my studies and will hopefully help me to stand out when I apply for jobs.
I want to go to university to study IT and hopefully become an IT technician. The competition challenged me and I’d definitely recommend it to others. “Backed by the Welsh Government, through the European Social Fund, Skills Competition Wales promotes the importance of developing a highly skilled workforce, aiming to boost high level skills in Wales. Barry Liles, World Skills Wales Champion and principal at Coleg Sir Gâr, who hosted the event, said: “Taking part in skills competitions increases employability, employee skills, employer competitiveness, business growth and ultimately improves the economy of Wales.
The amount of passion and concentration shown at these events, the results of months and years of hard work, is always fantastic to see and every person involved should be hugely proud of what they have achieved. I’m extremely proud to be a part of such an inspiring scheme that has gone from strength to strength over the past four years. “To register your interest for the next cycle of World Skills UK Competitions, visit www.worldskillsuk.org
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