Talented Deeside students are in Birmingham this week to compete in the WorldSkills UK finals.

[vc_row padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px”][vc_column fade_animation_offset=”45px” width=”1/1″][text_output]Wales has a record number of students taking part this year with nearly a third coming from Coleg Cambria.

The Skills Show, being held at Birmingham’s NEC Arena, is the setting for this year’s WorldSkills national finals. Wales’ contingent of 82 out of the total 650 competitors is by far the highest regional representation, and an increase on last year’s figure of 67 when Welsh entrants earned a total of 39 medals: 2 gold; 12 silver; 12 bronze; and 13 medallions of excellence.

The majority of this year’s finalists have progressed through local and regional skills competitions. Plumbers, cooks, web designers, electricians, florists and hairdressers, among others, will test themselves against tough standards during 20 hours of competition in 40 skills.

Coleg Cambria learners represent nearly a third of the Welsh team and will be competing in a number of skill areas including, hairdressing, beauty, nail service, nail enhancement media make-up, sheet metalwork and aeronautical engineering, CNC Milling.

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.#TeamWales #tss15 81 stars @WorldSkillsUKW at @SkillsShow How proud we are of you! @colegcambria @CollegesWales pic.twitter.com/cSUzHWxTpY

— YES Hub (@yes_hub) November 19, 2015

[/text_output][/vc_column][vc_column fade_animation_offset=”45px” width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px”][vc_column fade_animation_offset=”45px” width=”1/1″][text_output]High-quality skills competitions.

These competitions aim to encourage young people and adults across the UK to excel in their vocational skill whilst raising esteem, participation and working standards in apprenticeships and vocational training.

Successful competitors may be eligible to compete in the grand final of WorldSkills held in Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, AbuDhabi, United Arab Emirates in 2017.

Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Julie James will join an estimated 75,000 people who are expected to visit the Skills Show over the next three days.

The event aims to inspire and transform young people’s lives through a series of interactive activities and workshops, changing the way we think about skills, training and apprenticeships.

Mark Tami MP for Alyn & Deeside wished the learners the very best in Birmingham and praised their hard earned success. He said:

“Skills are so important for our future. The success of Coleg Cambria students in the World Skills competition this year clearly demonstrate the strong partnerships that have been developed between the college and local employers in this area.”

Coleg Cambria Principal and Chief Executive, David Jones said:

“Congratulations and best wishes to all of our national finalists this year. We are delighted that so many of our students are going to be competing on the national stage alongside the UK’s most talented apprentices and learners.

“We continually challenge our learners to develop the expertise they need to build successful futures and are committed to working closely with employers to develop the dynamic, skilled workforce essential for a prosperous and sustainable economy.”[/text_output][/vc_column][/vc_row]