WARRINGTON & Vale Royal College came together to mark their annual Skills Week celebrating the skills students develop as part of their vocational study programmes and an opportunity to showcase their skills.
Throughout the week students from across the college participated in competitions and projects, some of which were in collaboration with or sponsored by some of the colleges employer partners. Many employers were keen to get involved with #SkillsWeek as they saw it as a great opportunity to work with young people and identify prospective candidates for future roles within their businesses.
Within the construction, motor vehicle and engineering department’s students spent their day on Wednesday 5th February competing against each other to win top prizes donated by employers such as Klein Tools, Ansel Lighting, Sockitz, Ideal Industries, CEW and MKM builder’s merchants.
Winner of the plumbing competition, Charlie Edwards, who was awarded with plumbing essentials kit as his prize said “This competition was fun way to learn a new set of pipe bends that we hadn’t done before, because design contained 90° and 45° pipe bends. We also had to do a lot of soldering throughout the competition, which is something I will have to do a lot of as fully qualified plumber.”
Prize winner in the electrical installation competition, Rio Brown was thrilled to receive a £165 Megatester as his prize on the day, saying “This was great prize because even though they’re expensive to buy, it’s something I’ll use most days as an electrician.”
Andrew Atkin, Senior Curriculum Manager at the college said “Skills Week is a fantastic opportunity for our students to showcase their skills to the employers that attend during the week. Many students have secured apprenticeship roles on the back of past Skills Competitions, we are hoping for more of the same this year.”
Skills Week wasn’t just for the construction trades students though, students from across the college participated in the Skills Week initiative with students on our Health & Social Care and Graphic Design course in Winsford joining forces to produce health promotion campaigns on behalf of local leisure centre group – Brio Leisure. Three representatives from Brio Leisure visited the college to judge the entries produced by students covering topics such as drinking, hand washing, OCD, sugar, breast cancer, stigma’s, smoking and energy drinks. The team from Brio Leisure described the work produced by the students as “very professional and moving”.
Overall winners – Bethan and Laura produced a campaign on breast cancer awareness and were awarded a 7 day pass to the Brio Leisure sites and a goody bag as their prize.
Other exciting projects included an ‘Under the Sea’ themed make-up competition within the beauty department, a bridal hair competition within the hair department, fastest tyre changing competition in motor vehicle and the colleges media students were invited to showcase their skills be capturing some of the activities as they happened throughout the week. So keep an eye out for their edited films appearing on the colleges social media channels.
Assistant Principal, Cath Brierley said “Skills Week is fast becoming a key date in our college calendar, as students across all subjects are provided with the chance to demonstrate the skills they have learnt and developed during their time with us and apply them as part of an employer led project or competition. These opportunities not only provide them with a great experience, but can be used as examples of the skills they have developed during their studies within a real life setting when applying for university, apprenticeships or jobs upon completion of their studies.”
If you are interested in finding our more about the courses available to young people and adults at Warrington & Vale Royal College and open evening takes place on Wednesday 25th March, from 5.30pm – 8.00pm. Book your place online at: www.wvr.ac.uk/openevenings.
