Bradford College

Students Showcase Talents at WorldSkills Event

Construction, Engineering and Computing Bradford College students’ showcased their talents last week at a WorldSkills UK Information Session.

Taking place throughout the day, Level 2 and Level 3 Construction students took part in a competition for Bench Joinery and Level 3 Computing students took part in an IT Practitioners competition. The competition involved the students being set challenges applicable to their subject area and allowed them to showcase their skills and talents. All 20 student participant performed to a very high standard; the top three students from the IT Practitioner competition scored so high they would all have finished in top three in last year’s WorldSkills UK Regional Final.

In addition, Julie Hinchliffe, Assistant Principal for Skills and Curriculum Development at Bradford College presented an award to Andrew Hyde, team member of the Bradford College Engineering Team who won the WorldSkills UK Manufacturing Team Challenge 2011.

WorldSkills UK is a competition designed by leading industry experts and is open to young people and adults in education or employment. UK Skills, a not-for-profit organisation that champions vocational skills and learning for work through competitions and awards, oversees WorldSkills UK Competitions. The Information Sessions have been introduced to embed the ethos of internal competitions and to promote next year’s competition.

Andy Hall and Paul Vancliffe, official WorldSkills UK judges presented prizes to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd winners of each category. Construction prizes were donated by JACs Trade and DIY Supplies and for the Computing competitions prizes were PC World vouchers.

Julie Hinchliffe, Assistant Principal for Skills and Curriculum Development at Bradford College, said: “I was extremely impressed with the level of skill and enthusiasm of the students involved in the joinery and computing competitions. Judges confirmed that the standard of work was outstanding. I’m sure that this will help to develop the students’ confidence and drive up their skills in readiness for next year’s Worldskills.uk competitions. It was great to see highly skilled practitioners in action!”

Andy Hall Project Manager (Skills Competitions) at UK Skills comments, “Paul and I were really impressed with the standard which shows the quality of the College’s tutors and structure.  I really hope to see a lot of those guys at my heats.”

Bradford College continues with its participation in showcasing WorldSkills UK Information Sessions with the next session planned for December 2011.

• WorldSkills Gallery