Coleg Gwent students are world class

11 of our students have reached the national finals of the WorldSkills UK competition  in disciplines including forensic scienceand 3D game art, beating counterparts from colleges across Wales.

What are WorldSkills UK competitions?

WorldSkills UK competitions are open to students and apprentices from all over the UK and are held in two stages. First, students are invited to take part in the national qualifiers round, which is held at a regional level. If students are successful in their national qualifiers, they then find out if they have reached the national finals in Birmingham, which will take place during 15-17 November.

The 11 students from the College first took part in the national qualifier stages in June, which were held in colleges across Wales. The students, who took first and second places during the national qualifiers, found out they reached the finals earlier this month.

Richard Wheeler, WorldSkills UK co-ordinator for Coleg Gwent said, “This is a great achievement by all of the competitors and I would like to say a big thank you to the tutors involved in the students’ training; it’s hard work but very rewarding. And of course, congratulations to the students, their determination has paid off!”

The Coleg Gwent students through to the national finals are:
3D Game Art:  Manraj Deol
Electronics:  Callum Gibbs, Samuel O’Connor
Forensic Science: Charlotte Hardy, Ben Lund Hair Shannon Watkins
Beauty Therapy – Hands and Face: Lauren Evans (in the picture above)
Beauty Therapy – Body: Rachel Watson (in the picture above),
Fitness/Coach Trainer: Stacey Davey, Lesley Jones

As part of the national final, students will have to expand on the skills they demonstrated at the national qualifier round and repeat the same challenges.

Speaking ahead of the national finals in November finalist Lauren Evans, who won first place at her national qualifier round, said: ” The whole experience of entering the competition itself was so rewarding, then to find out I came first was even more than just rewarding. It seriously opened my eyes and made me realise I can do anything I put my mind to.

“The final consists of the same treatments as the national qualifiers; an eye cleanse, day make up, eyelash tint and mini manicure.

“I will practise with the model I bring with me every week running up to the final in Birmingham. I am very excited and ready to take part in WorldSkills UK and be a part of it.”

Keep checking our website and social media channels for the finalists’ updates.