Coleg Cambria medal haul at national skills tournament

COLEG CAMBRIA students swept the board at a national skills tournament.

The north east Wales college won a staggering 28 medals at Skills Competition Wales.

Organised by Inspiring Excellence in Wales, the Welsh Government-funded programme consists of a series of local contests aligned to Worldskills UK and the needs of the economy.

Cambria learners picked up 14 gold medals, 10 silver and four bronze in a variety of disciplines including joinery, construction metalwork, forensic science, cyber security, enterprise, heavy vehicle technology and CNC milling.

Rona Griffiths, Deputy Director of Learner Experience and Enterprise at Coleg Cambria, praised the students for their talent and determination.

“This is an incredible result for the students and employers,” she said.

“Following our success at WorldSkills UK, and in having six representatives on the Long Squad for the global WorldSkills competition in Shanghai, it shows once again how far we have come.

“When it comes to apprenticeships and skills our learners get better and better every year, and this outcome reinforces that, as well as highlighting our fantastic relationship with industry.”

Rona added: “For 28 students to have won a medal in what is a national competition, and for half of them to be gold, is just amazing.

“We will be encouraging them to now go ahead and try out for WorldSkills UK, because they have the ability – well done to you all.”

The Inspiring Skills Excellence in Wales project, secured by the Skills Ambassador Network in 2014, is led by Coleg Sir Gar.

The project, which initially focused on skills competitions, provides a supportive infrastructure to deliver improved medal winning success at National and International Skills Competitions for competitors from Wales.

The project was extended in 2017 to combine the three elements of: Skills Competition Wales; International Competitor Support and Have a Go.