An 18-year-old from Danescourt has won a gold medal in the nail services final of a national skills competition.

Backed by the Welsh Government through the European Social Fund, Skills Competition Wales is a series of events held in colleges across the country, designed to celebrate vocational skills and create highly skilled, award winning employees for the Welsh workforce.

Charlotte O’Shea, who is studying a level 3 NVQ in nail services, competed against seven other students from across Wales in a series of manicure challenges within a three hour time period. The competitors were tasked with applying a full set of acrylic nails and demonstrating French-style, solid colour and nail art designs. 

Charlotte, currently studying at Coleg y Cymoedd, said she couldn’t believe it when the judges announced her as the winner.

“The competition was quite nerve-wracking, even though I’m used to doing different styles of manicures it’s normally when I’m chatting to a classmate at college or one of my friends. The competition was so quiet with everyone concentrating it felt quite intense.

“My dream is to open my own nail salon one day, but I think I’m still a few years away from being able to set up my own business. I’ve always loved painting nails and I’m really looking forward to researching and practicing new nail art designs for the next stage of the competitions where I know I’ll need to up my game to compete against some of the best nail artists from across the UK.” 

More than 35 competitions are taking place this year, across a wide range of different vocations from plumbing and beauty therapy to aeronautical engineering and accountancy.

The successful Welsh competitors may go on to challenge youngsters from across the UK at the WorldSkills UK national finals, held at The Skills Show in Birmingham’s NEC this November. Competitors who excel at The Skills Show may then be shortlisted to compete against the world’s most talented young people at the international WorldSkills competition in Kazan, Russia in 2019.

Minister for Skills and Science, Julie James said: “At the Skills Show last year, the Welsh team topped the leader board of UK regions winning a total of 45 medals, which demonstrates that we’re producing some of the most highly skilled young people across the nation.

“In a year when Wales is celebrating legends of the past, competitions like these showcase the talent across the country and provide a platform for emerging Welsh legends of the future.

“Along with Charlotte’s hard work and determination the support from her college is an important factor in her success, and I would like to extend a special thank you to all the local businesses, schools and colleges across Wales who support these talented individuals.

“I would like to congratulate Charlotte on her fantastic achievement and wish her the best of luck in the next stage of the competition and her future career.”

Two learners from the Construction Department at Coleg y Cymoedd have been busy competing in the World Skills South Wales Construction Regional competition, hosted by Coleg Ceredigion’s Cardigan campus.

Over a hundred learners from colleges across South Wales gathered to take part in the day’s competitions which were held in Carpentry, Joinery, Brickwork, Painting and Decorating, Plumbing and Electrical work.

Cymoedd learners Lewis Blakely, 17 from Caerphilly and Jarrad Hinett 16 from Blackwood both represented the Construction department. This was the first time that both learners had competed in the Skills competition; where they were given practical tasks to complete in a set timeframe.

The two Cymoedd learners impressed the judges with the quality of their work, ensuring accuracy in measurements, alignment and angles plus the ability to complete the soldering to the set criteria for the competition. 

Lewis who is currently studying on the Level 2 Diploma in Plumbing and Heating (Apprentice) said” I was quite nervous when we first arrived at the competition but once we had started the tasks, I was able to concentrate on the skills I’ve learnt during my course and was happy with the finished result. It was great to meet learners from other colleges, I’ve certainly benefitted from the experience and I was really pleased to achieve 2^nd position”.

Plumbing tutor Lee Perry commented, “It was pleasing to see Lewis secure 2^nd position and Jarrad, studying on the Level 1 Diploma in Plumbing Studies, also securing a place in the finals. I was so proud of both learners they were a credit to the college and they should be very proud of their achievements, the scoring was so close with only a few marks separating all competitors. 

Entering competitions such as this gives the learners the opportunity to work to set deadlines, which is important in the trade.  The judges’ comments on the exceptionally high standards demonstrated by the learners bodes well for the future of the plumbing and heating industry”.

A band of students from Coleg y Cymoedd have won a gold medal in the popular music final of a national skills competition. 

Backed by the Welsh Government through the European Social Fund, Skills Competition Wales is a series of events held in colleges across the country, designed to celebrate vocational skills and create highly skilled, award winning employees for the Welsh workforce.

Georgina Davey, 19, Caitlin Lavanga, 20, Christian Punter, 18, and Rhys Davies, 20, who make up the band ‘Working On It’, competed against nine other bands in the competition, performing two cover songs to a panel of judges.

Christian, the band’s guitarist, said he couldn’t believe it when they announced ‘Working On It’ as the winners. 

“We were all really surprised to have won the competition, we’ve only been performing together for a couple of weeks after our tutors encouraged us to get together and enter. Despite that, we’d been rehearsing our songs, ‘Bad Romance’ by Lady Gaga and ‘Begging’ by Madcon, until we could perform them in our sleep! 

 

“I’m so pleased we all entered, I think this could be the start of a successful new group. Caitlin and I have performed together busking around Cardiff and playing in local pubs but it’ll be great to branch out and start performing as ‘Working on it’ in the next stages of the competition, and beyond.”

More than 35 competitions are taking place this year, across a wide range of different vocations from plumbing and beauty therapy to aeronautical engineering and accountancy. 

The successful Welsh competitors may go on to challenge youngsters from across the UK at the WorldSkills UK national finals, held at The Skills Show in Birmingham’s NEC this November. Competitors who excel at The Skills Show may then be shortlisted to compete against the world’s most talented young people at the international WorldSkills competition in Kazan, Russia in 2019.

Minister for Skills and Science, Julie James said: “At the Skills Show last year, the Welsh team topped the leader board of UK regions winning a total of 45 medals, which demonstrates that we’re producing some of the most highly skilled young people across the nation.

 

“In a year when Wales is celebrating legends of the past, competitions like these showcase the talent across the country and provide a platform for emerging Welsh legends of the future.

“Along with the group’s hard work and determination the support from their tutors is an important factor in their success, and I would like to extend a special thank you to all the local businesses, schools and colleges across Wales who support these talented individuals.

“I would like to congratulate the group on their fantastic achievement and wish them the best of luck in the next stage of the competition and their future career.”  

 

Congratulations 2 all 4 Coleg y Cymoedd learners/academy players after being selected in the FAW Womens Football squad who have been on senior camp this week, great learning experience.