Students Add to Medal Haul at Skills Competition Wales

NPTC Group students added to an already impressive medal haul in Skills Competition Wales recently with medals taken home across the board.

Students from across NPTC Group of Colleges are celebrating after taking 13 medals in the second of two virtual awards ceremonies celebrating the class of 2021, including five gold medals from the Construction trades and Childcare.  The College also managed to achieve a whopping 10 medals across the construction trades with a clean sweep in both Carpentry and Plastering taking home Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in both trades.

The series of local competitions ran between January and April and now means the total number of medals awarded stands at an amazing 26, seven Gold, six Silver and 13 Bronze medals.

The skills on show for the second ceremony celebrated competitors in Painting and Decorating, Brickwork, Plastering, Restaurant Service, Childcare, Carpentry, Joinery, Health & Social Care, Inclusive Skills and Catering and Culinary Arts.

The five gold medals came from students Paul Mason (Painting & Decorating), Keelan Marney (Brickwork), Johnny Donaldson (Plastering) and Sammy Young(Carpentry) and Rhiannon Hanford (Childcare).

Skills Competition Wales, funded by the Welsh Government, is designed to raise the profile of skills in Wales. Focussing on growth areas and the needs of the economy, the competition helps boost the skillsets of the future workforce. Skills Competition Wales is aligned to WorldSkills, with many competitors going on to compete in World Skills UK competitions.

​Edward Jones, Skills Champion for NPTC Group of Colleges, said: “The last year has been a challenge for everyone, but the fact that 13 of our students have won medals speaks volumes about not only the commitment these students show to their trades but also about the quality of the teaching and training that takes place at the College even throughout a pandemic.

Skills Competitions are an excellent way of stretching and challenging students over and above their coursework. To see such a diverse range of skills coming through reflects that students in all areas are trained to a very high standard right across all our College sites. I’m very proud of all tonight’s winners, and I’m excited about the next event and to see how many of these students go on to take part in WorldSkills UK”

Nicola Thornton Scott, Assistant Principal for Skills at the College said: ‘’Making sure the next generation has the essential skills and training needed for the workplace is of even greater importance post covid.  This is needed now more than ever, and competitions like this help to raise the aspirations of our young people and develop the skills our economy needs.’’

Here is the full list of winners: