Student demonstrated talent, teamwork and lot of cheering at support at Derwen College today, as students from five colleges joined us for our Skills Competitions event.
The annual Skills Competitions brought together students from Derwen College’s Gobowen, Telford and Ludlow campuses, along with visiting students from Pengwern College, Coleg Elidyr, Birtenshaw College and Amberleigh Care.
The competitions were open to students aged 16–25 who are working up to Level 1 in further education or specialist college settings. They gave students a chance to step into the spotlight and demonstrate practical skills linked to employment, independence and personal development. The competitions were held in partnership with Coleg Elidyr.
Across the morning, students rolled up their sleeves and took on challenges in Horticulture, Retail, Hospitality, Housekeeping and Performing Arts. They created a ‘Pollinator Paradise’ mini garden, designed a Summer Holiday Essentials retail display, laid a Commonwealth Games-themed table in The Orangery Restaurant, made beds in the college’s mini hotel, or performed in solo and group categories.
Each competition was judged by an industry expert, who had a difficult job choosing winners. Judges included Sorrell Taylor from Erlas Gardens in Wrexham for Horticulture, Derwen College Commercial Manager Sharon Jones for visual merchandising, Hospitality industry professional Andy Jones for table laying, Sarah Crowther from Premier Inn for bed making, and Michael Jenkins from Holroyd Theatre for Performing Arts.
The day finished with a lively presentation ceremony in the Student Union, where students from all colleges clapped, cheered and celebrated one another’s achievements.
High standard of work
Head of Curriculum and Quality Jennifer Fawcett-Jones, who organised the event, said: “It was wonderful to see such a high standard of work from all the students taking part. These competitions are about so much more than winning – they give students the opportunity to showcase their skills, support each other, build confidence and demonstrate their readiness for work and greater independence.”
She added: “We are very fortunate to have the facilities and industry connections at Derwen College to run competitions like this in a professional way. It was a joy to see students from different colleges standing together, encouraging one another and taking real pride in what they had achieved.”
Skills competitions are an important part of Derwen College’s work to prepare students for employment and adulthood. The event gave students the chance to put their learning into practice, show creativity and professionalism, and celebrate the skills they are building for the future.
A huge well done to every student who took part, and thank you to the visiting colleges, judges and staff who helped make the day such a success.
