March 15, 2024 - 342 views
Learners and apprentices at Coleg Menai, Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor, Coleg Llandrillo and Busnes@LlandrilloMenai won an outstanding 43 medals at the Skills Competition Wales award ceremony last night.
This was more than any other college in Wales, and more than the college group has ever won before.
Watch party award ceremonies were held at Coleg Menai’s Llangefni campus and Coleg Llandrillo’s Rhos-on-Sea campus (on Thursday March 14th), where competitors were joined by their families and lecturers to be recognised for their achievements and hard work.
Among the successful learners were 11 Gold medallists in categories including CNC Turning, Industrial Robotics, Childcare and Customer Service.
The Grŵp Llandrillo Menai learners also brought back a staggering 19 Silver medals in categories ranging from Accountancy and Enterprise to Photography, and Mechanical Engineering CAD.
13 bronze medals were also won by the successful cohort, in a whole variety of categories including Forensic Science, Personal Training, Accountancy, Photography and Health and Social Care.
A total of 11 medals won were also from ‘Inclusive Skills’ categories, including Childcare, Restaurant Service, Hairdressing, Horticulture and more.
Kirsty Georgenson, bronze medallist in Health & Social Care, said: "I am very happy that I’ve won a medal. I wasn't expecting it, it has given me a boost in confidence for sure."
A number of the Skills Competition Wales finals were held across Grŵp Llandrillo Menai's campuses, where competitors from across the country came together to participate in the challenges and tasks.
Skills Competition Wales aims to raise the profile of skills in Wales and offers students, trainees, and apprentices in Wales a chance to challenge, benchmark and raise their skills by taking part in competitions across a range of sectors.
Funded by the Welsh Government and run by a dedicated network of colleges, work-based learning providers and employer-led organisations, it consists of a series of local skills competitions, aligned to WorldSkills and the needs of the Welsh economy.
Dafydd Evans, Chief Executive at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, said: “We are so proud of our learners, demonstrating their skills at the highest level. Their success is a testament to their tutors and assessors without whom they could reach these heights. I wish them all the best for their future careers.”
Competitions took place in January and February, with a record-breaking 1,129 representatives from every corner of Wales competing to be named the ‘country’s best’ in their sector.
This year’s competition saw a steady and encouraging rise in female participation in the traditionally male-dominated construction categories, including carpentry, painting and decorating, and renewable energy, making up 20% of the competitor numbers - an increase of 10% since 2020.
Minister for Economy, Vaughan Gething, said: “Skills Competition Wales serves as the perfect platform for our youth to push their boundaries and showcase their talents.
“One of my priorities for a stronger economy is to focus on young peoples’ skills and creativity, giving them the support they need to achieve ambitious futures here in Wales.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each and every competitor for their outstanding achievements so far. Each of you has a very exciting journey ahead.”
For more information on skills competitions in Wales and to be in with a chance to represent your country in 2024 and 2025, visit https://inspiringskills.gov.wales/.
