Skills award for new college

New College Lanarkshire topped the medals board at the national skills competition, WorldSkills UK, with 11 of its students receiving awards for their outstanding work.

Students from New College Lanarkshire, which was formed on Friday, November 1, following the merger of Cumbernauld and Motherwell colleges, were presented with four gold, five silver and two bronze medals at the end of a two day competition at WorldSkills UK.

Held in Birmingham, more than 700 of the UK’s most talented apprentices, employees and learners battled it out in 70 competitions to be named the ‘best in the UK’ in their chosen skill.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Of the 235 organisations that participated, New College Lanarkshire’s success saw the institution take the top spot on the leader board – earning it the title of ‘best in the UK’.

Kilsyth BSc computer networking student Jack Scott (21) was one of the winners at the event after taking home silver in the Network Systems Administrator Skill.

Four other students from across the New College Lanarkshire campuses also competed and received highly commended awards for their work.

Martin McGuire, principal of New College Lanarkshire, said: “WorldSkills UK is a prestigious competition which attracts competitors from across the whole of the UK.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We know we have some extremely talented and skilful students but to be awarded 11 medals and come top of the leader board at WorldSkills UK is a phenomenal achievement.

“The work ethic and determination shown by the students of New College Lanarkshire is remarkable and I am extremely proud of each of them.

“This success also demonstrates the efforts of our staff to ensure the College is offering the best possible provision for skills development and this emphasis will continue as we move forward.”

Michael Russell, the cabinet secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, has also sent his congratulations to the students and the college.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: “I would like to congratulate all 11 students and New College Lanarkshire on this incredible achievement at the WorldSkills UK competition.

“Colleges of scale are able to compete in this way nationally and internationally, and this shows how important regionalisation has been.

“The number of awards across so many disciplines is a wonderful showcase of the expertise our colleges have in not only educating students, but at helping them hone their skills into the foundation of a career that they can enjoy pursuing. The students have done extremely well and are a credit to New College Lanarkshire and I am sure this is just the start of impressive things for them all.”

Related topics: