In February, some of our talented students took part in the Inspiring Skills Wales Competitions, showcasing their abilities across a range of industries and gaining valuable real-world experience in the process.
From Health & Social Care to Forensic Science, Lab Technician, Coding, Fashion and Net Zero, each student challenged themselves, built up their confidence, and developed skills that will support them in their future careers, highlighting the importance of career development opportunities.

Highlights included:
After weeks of hard work, we celebrated their achievements at our awards event on the 18th of March.
Huge congratulations to our award winners:
Zach Ahmed, Hamza Egeh, and Alex Rowley took on this year’s coding competition and excelled, winning Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals, respectively.

During the challenge, they completed a range of tasks in a programming language of their choice, testing skills essential for a future career in computer programming across any industry.
In addition, this competition was another example of how the Inspiring Skills Wales Competitions provide real insight into future professions.

Overall, the experience gave the trio invaluable insight, and staff member Greg Rees supported their preparation through Computer Science lessons and the college coding club.
Mia Willecome, Julia Lysiak, Mustafa Abdelhamid, and Necip Razi took part as a team in the Net Zero competition this year and came away with four gold medals.
The team researched how various green technologies can provide energy and developed a comprehensive strategy to help the college achieve net zero emissions.

Ahead of the competition day, our learners had to create a mood board or montage of their ideas, which they then had four hours to refine and explain in a ten-minute presentation, offering invaluable hands-on learning experiences.
Alice Penny, Kyra Lea, and Brooke Collins took on the Forensic Science competition this year and did a fantastic job, with all three being highly commended.

During the competition, which lasted all day at the University of South Wales’ state-of-the-art crime scene house, students investigated a realistic crime scene and applied their knowledge of Forensic Science processes and systems. Additionally, they identified and analysed different types of evidence and used specialist equipment throughout the day.
Overall, it was an excellent experience for our students and provided a valuable insight into a career in Forensic Science, further reinforcing the value of career development opportunities.
We are incredibly proud of every student who took part in this year’s Inspiring Skills Wales Competitions. Moreover, the challenges go beyond winning – they give students the opportunity to showcase their talents and explore how far their skills can take them.
As a result, their dedication, teamwork, and enthusiasm truly paid off!

Finally, a big thank you to all staff who supported and mentored students throughout their journey – your guidance made this possible.