Rianne crowned World Champion and best of best

FORMER Warrington Collegiate student, Rianne Chester is celebrating at the double at the WorldSkills International competition in São Paulo, Brazil, after taking a gold medal for Beauty therapy.

Rhianne also gained the illustrious Albert Vidal medal which recognises the best of best, the first time the UK has ever won the prize.

Following an intense and high spirited 43rd WorldSkills Competition, the Closing Ceremony of WorldSkills São Paulo 2015 brought to an end the largest competition in WorldSkills history and the first ever held in Latin America.

An estimated 9,000 competitors, experts, delegates, sponsors and partners, and supporters shared an emotional evening centered on recognising the excellence of the 1,189 Competitors from around the world.

Team UK cheered as Rianne was awarded her gold medal, one of three gold’s, three silvers and two bronze medals, gained by the squad in San Paulo.

The Competitors with the highest points at the competition receives the Albert Vidal Award. Rianne received the award jointly with Jeong Woo Seo, Korea, Automobile Technology and Luis Carlos Sanches Machado, Brazil, Automobile Technology.

They each received a trophy from WorldSkills and a Brazilian cultural piece of art from WorldSkills São Paulo 2015.

Lesley Hill, Curriculum Leader in Beauty Therapy at Warrington Collegiate, the instigators of Rianne’s journey to international success said:“We are so proud of Rianne and her fantastic achievement. She completed her Level 2 and Level 3 Beauty Therapy with us at the Academy at Warrington Collegiate.

“At an early stage tutors recognised that Rianne has something special, a hidden talent. At college Rianne blossomed into a confident level 3 therapist and an excellent role model for others. She took part in UK Skills competitions during her studies and was successful in winning her regional heats. We have always kept in contact with Rianne throughout her journey and the academy became a base for some of her intense training. Rianne will be coming back to inspire our current students with her story in the near future. ”

Rianne is the second world champion to have trained at Warrington Collegiate. In 2013 Bricklaying apprentice, Ashley Terron, won Gold at WorldSkills International 2013, Leipzig, Germany.

Carole Stott, chair of Find a Future, which manages the UK’s entry into the WorldSkills competition, said: “WorldSkills São Paulo gave Team UK the opportunity to showcase the UK’s vocational and FE system on a global stage.

“The hard work they have all put in over the last two years to prepare for the competition, alongside their committed training managers has really paid off and we are thrilled with the results they have achieved.

“We urge the nation to join us celebrating the success of Team UK and give them a champions’ welcome on their return.”