Coleg y Cymoedd crowned Champions in Inter-college Skills competition

Two South Wales Further Education colleges have gone head to head in an inter-college Skills competition, which took place at Coleg y Cymoedd’s Aberdare campus.

Both Coleg y Cymoedd and Coleg Gwent offer academic and vocational courses across a full range of subject areas; this competition, now in its third year concentrated on their Hair, Beauty, Electrical, Plumbing and Catering learners. The introduction of Catering into the competition resulted in over eighty learners participating.

Throughout the competition the salons were a hive of activity with the learners producing some amazing styles in the hair competition; alongside the beauty learners who were tasked with providing a variety of treatments.

This year’s panel of judges included Dave Bassett and Dean Poole, both HTA Hairdressing judges and Sara Tutton, retired Campus Director who has over 40 years of experience in Education and the Hair & Beauty industry.

Coleg y Cymoedd secured 1st place in the Level 1 & 2 Hair competition and had a clean sweep in the Level 1 Beauty competition winning 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. The college is grateful to Capitol Hair & Beauty and Dermalogica for their sponsorship of the competition

The Catering learners were tasked with cutting and preparing various fruit and vegetables, planning and cooking a full meal as well as napkin folding and serving. 

The competition was intense with Cymoedd learners achieving 1st and 2nd places. Overseeing the Catering challenge were Mark Cox, Group Manager for Chartwells Catering, who kindly donated the prizes for this category and David Harland, retired lecturer at Coleg y Cymoedd who has over forty years of experience, as a Chef and lecturer in Further Education.

There was a definite buzz in the construction workshops as the Electrical and Plumbing learners went head to head.

The electrical learners were given the task of constructing a commercial lighting circuit and a domestic power circuit with points awarded for accuracy, termination quality and functionality. The Cymoedd learners put their skills into practice taking 3rd position. This competition was judged by retired Cymoedd lecturer, Paul Meyer who has a wealth of experience in the Electrical Installations industry.

With a brief to construct a pipework system using different materials, bends and angles, the Plumbing learners set about their task. Judges for this competition, Steve Williams and Tim Strickland from sponsors – Dougfield Plumbers Supplies kept a watchful eye over the learners during the competition ensuring the system was watertight, when tested. Cymoedd learners were awarded 3rd position.

Closing the day’s event, Mark Thomas, Campus Director for the Aberdare campus said “I would like to thank the staff from both colleges for their commitment and hard work to ensure the competition was a success.  The judges for doing a fabulous job, without their expertise the competition would not have run smoothly, the sponsors for their generous donations and last but not least our learners and our visitors from Coleg Gwent, who participated.

I am delighted that Coleg y Cymoedd were crowned champions for the first time in this competition.  With this success behind us we are already looking forward to next year’s competition which will be held at Coleg Gwent”.

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