NINE Coleg Gwent students have successfully reached the finals of national skills competitions.

WorldSkills UK competitions, which are designed by industry experts, have been running for 65 years and are open to students and apprentices from across the UK.

They are held in two stages: a regional qualifier round and the national finals.

Nine students from Coleg Gwent managed to boss the initial round in June, and will be heading to the national finals, in Birmingham, in November.

WorldSkills UK co-ordinator for Coleg Gwent, Richard Wheeler, said: “This is a great achievement by all of the competitors and I would like to say a big thank you to the tutors involved in the students’ training; it’s hard work but very rewarding.

“And of course, congratulations to the students, their determination has paid off.”

The competitions cover a range of skills, with winners of first and second place in the qualifier round going through to the national finals.

The Coleg Gwent students going to the national finals are: Manraj Deol (3D Game Art), Callum Gibbs and Samuel O’Connor (Electronics), Charlotte Hardy and Ben Lund (Forensic Science), Lauren Evans (Beauty Therapy for Hands and Face), Rachel Watson (Beauty Therapy for Body), and Stacey Davey and Lesley Jones (Fitness/Coach Trainer).

Students will expand on skills demonstrated in the initial round by repeating the challenges.

Lauren Evans, who is competing in the Beauty Therapy for Hands and Face category, said: “The whole experience of entering the competition itself was so rewarding, then to find out I came first was even more than just rewarding. It seriously opened my eyes and made me realise I can do anything I put my mind to.

“The final consists of the same treatments as the national qualifiers; an eye cleanse, day make up, eyelash tint and mini manicure.

“I will practise with the model I bring with me every week running up to the final in Birmingham. I am very excited and ready to take part in WorldSkills UK and be a part of it.”

The finals of WorldSkills UK competitions 2018 will be at Birmingham between November 15 and November 17.

To follow the students’ journey in the lead up to the national finals, or to browse the courses available at Coleg Gwent, please visit their website: www.coleggwent.ac.uk