Mason Moore | Hinckley Reporter | 27 July 2022

NINETEEN talented students from North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College are to travel to Scotland and Wales later this year, after it was recently announced that they have reached the national finals of WorldSkills UK.

North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC) locally have two campuses in Hinckley and Nuneaton, and other sites in Harrowbrook and Wigston.

Their students are to compete in the WorldSkills UK final in November for the chance to join Team UK on an international stage at the ‘Skills Olympic’ in France in 2024.

NWSLC are especially proud to have more students than any other college competing in the foundation skills competitions. Designed for those with special educational needs and disabilities, these were originally conceived and first started by NWSLC.

Their students will compete alongside 500 of their peers from all over the UK who will test their skills in over 60 competitions across six venues for the chance to win gold, silver, and bronze medals.

The results will be announced by Channel 4 presenter and journalist, Steph McGovern, in a special event live from her ‘Packed Lunch’ studio on Friday, 25 November 2022.

NWSLC finalists will compete in six competitions. They include Hattie Parnham, an apprentice with Ashby Decorator Centre in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, who will try her skills in painting and decoration, and Briony Hancox, who will compete in the foundation floristry competition. Both students will travel to Edinburgh College for the finals.

Cardiff and Vale College, based in Rumney, Cardiff, will provide the venue for Sam Hurst, Lucy Gill, and Harry Forbes, who are set to compete in the foundation catering competition.

Evan Ashburner and Alexandru Dinca will join them to compete in the foundation motor vehicle skills competition. And, the foundation hairdressing skills of Emmie Pearce, Grace Bird and Hemali Bordekar will be tested at the same venue.

Nine students have qualified to compete in the media skills competition in Wales – these are Meshach Ngabesong, Nathan Smith, Pavan Mandalia, Amber Stuart, Evie Smith, Kameela Tuitt, Jamie Smallwood, and Kiefer Day.

Marion Plant, OBE FCGI, Principal and Chief Executive of NWSLC, who is currently interim chair of WorldSkills UK, said: “We’re delighted to congratulate all our students who have worked so diligently to practice their skills in several disciplines, successfully showing that they can compete on a national stage.

“Enabling young people to access the skills they need to succeed in work and life has never been more important.

“The WorldSkills UK competition experience helps to open students’ eyes to the exciting career opportunities available to them once they complete their college studies.

“Hosting the competitions across the four nations will provide our students with a fantastic opportunity to travel to Scotland and Wales and we look forward to supporting them as they prepare for the finals.”