- 02/04/2015
- Posted by: Joyce Watson MS
- Category: Feature
Current and former west Wales college students showed off their award-winning skills at a special reception held at the Senedd, Cardiff Bay.
The event (25 March) was hosted by First Minister Carwyn Jones to celebrate the success of 10 Welsh competitors who have been shortlisted to represent the UK at this summer’s World Skills competition in Brazil. Guests, including Mid and West Wales AM Joyce Watson, also congratulated the young people who took part in November’s high-profile Skills Show at Birmingham’s NEC.
From Coleg Sir Gâr, Mrs Watson met Gethin Johnson, who is studying welding and metal work, and former site carpentry student Simon McCall. Pembrokeshire College graduate joiner, Dominic Hicks, told the Labour AM of his hopes to compete at the world finals in São Paulo in August.
As chair of the Assembly’s cross-party group for the construction industry, Mrs Watson was delighted by the range of skills on show, She said:
“Thanks to the dedication and talent of young people like Dominic, Simon and Gethin, and the support of their colleges and employers, Wales has gained medal winning success at both a national and international level. They are a credit to the industry – I wish them every success for the upcoming competitions and their careers.”
As well as studying Construction Metal Work at Coleg Sir Gar, Gethin, from Llandysul, is an apprentice welder and fabricator for west Wales-based Morris Welding & Fabrication. Simon, from Capel Dewi, completed his level 3 qualification in site carpentry at Coleg Sir Gâr. He has previously competed in regional skills competitions and last year’s EuroSkills competition in Lille, France. Dominic, of Carew, is one of just two UK joiners competing for a place in Squad UK. As a joiner with Narberth-based Keating Joinery, he is recognised as one of the best trainee joiners in the UK.
