The finals are at the heart of WorldSkills UK LIVE, the UK’s largest skills, apprenticeship and careers event which takes place from 21 – 23 November at the NEC, Birmingham. There will be competitions in 70 different skills across the Digital, Technology, Engineering, Construction and Hospitality industries with finalists having to a set task or series of tasks in their respective skill area within a limited time in front of the 70,000 plus visitors attending the event. The original entry of over 3,000 has been whittled down to just 500 for the national finals and Abigail is one of nine College competitors to make the cut.
The other finalists, who qualified in eight different skills areas from across the College’s six campus, are: Jack Marshall, Newtownabbey, (Web Design); Ashton Logan, Ballymena (Bricklaying); Patrick McCloskey, Coleraine (Carpentry); Tadas Dobrovlskis, Newtownabbey (Welding); Philip Park, Ballymoney (Graphic Design); and Maciej Twardowski, Magherafelt (IT Software Solutions for Business). Two former students, Andy Blair and Haydn Roebuck, who completed a Foundation Degree at the College last year, qualified for the Mechatronics finals but are unable to attend due to work and university commitments.
Having competed in various rounds to qualify for the finals, Abigail is delighted with the opportunity:
“I was thrilled to hear that I had qualified for the WorldSkills UK LIVE Finals this year. It’s a massive competition in the skills industry so it means a lot,” she said.
The 22-year-old explained that she has been putting in some extra practice ahead of the competition:
“I have worked really hard to get to the finals and the chance to represent the College at such a high level is so exciting.
“I have been doing a lot of preparation to get extra hours in. My tutors have been really supportive, even setting up a bay in the workshop for me to practise. Their expertise has been invaluable and I really appreciate their support.”
As an apprentice plumber, Abigail spends one day each week in college and four with her employer, Dowds Group. She is currently working on site at the South Lakes Leisure Centre in Craigavon.
“Being on site has taught me a lot and has allowed me to work on my skills in a professional environment. It has been a great learning curve and hopefully this will stand me in good stead for the competition,” she said.
Talking about her inspiration to develop a career within the sector, Abigail points to her father:
“I get to work alongside my dad on a daily basis. He is my number one fan and it will be really special having him there at the competition supporting me.”
Congratulating Abigail and all the students on reaching the national finals, Professor Terri Scott, Principal and Chief Executive of Northern Regional College said:
“These students are shining examples of the skills and talent inherent to our young people at the College. What they have achieved so far is a reflection of their hard work, commitment and dedication and I wish them every success in the national finals.”
Professor Scott said the students and their lecturers all deserved great credit as qualifying for WorldSkills UK LIVE was a major achievement:
“I can’t impress the scale and scope of the finals enough – they really are the equivalent of the Olympics for experiential learning and apprenticeships. It is a true delight to see so many from the College compete at such a high level.
“Many students recognise that the traditional academic route is not for them so they choose an alternative route to success and pursue a pathway in a trade-based career through an apprenticeship, Higher Level Apprenticeship or one of the other training opportunities available at the College. These students are testament to the high level of success that can be achieved in any subject when their hard work is fostered in a caring, encouraging and supportive environment.”
Dr Neil Bentley-Gockmann OBE, Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK said: “I wish all Northern Regional College students the best of luck as they compete at WorldSkills UK LIVE.
“At WorldSkills UK we work to accelerate the development of young people’s skills from national to world-class standards. We’re creating a new generation of high flyers that give UK employers a competitive edge.”
Northern Regional College students have a proven track record at WorldSkills UK LIVE. At last year’s competition, Aghadowey student Samuel Gilmore was named UK Champion for Carpentry. He has since gone on to be crowned Europe’s Best Apprentice at the European Alliance for Apprenticeship Awards, held in Helsinki in October. In 2017, Rory McCloskey from Antrim, a Foundation Degree student at the College, was a gold medal winner in Computer Numerical Control (CNC) category.