Young engineer makes WorldSkills UK final
Young engineer Gary Mangan is competing for Gold at the WorldSkills UK engineering finals this week.
Gary, 19, from Highton, Liverpool, who is studying an EAL qualification BTECH Level 3 at Knowsley College and is a final year apprentice at Colmart engineering, will be taking his place in the Sheet MetalWork final – one of the 13 WorldSkills UK engineering competitions organised by skills specialists Enginuity being held at the Skills Show in Birmingham’s NEC from 13-15 November.
Gary said: “I made the right decision to join engineering. A lot of my friends are still going through college and university. I earn a good wage.
“It has been tough working towards the competition. Everyone has a chance to win it as long as I can complete the task.”
Gary, who studying for an EAL qualification - a BTEC Level 3 Diploma - will find out if he has won at an awards ceremony on Saturday (Nov 15).
Julia Chippendale, managing director of EAL, the specialist awarding organisation for industry qualifications said: “It is fantastic to see so many of our students like Gary putting their learning into practice and showcasing their skills on such a big stage.
“The competitions play a vital role in raising skills standards among young people and provide an opportunity for competitors to challenge themselves against the best in the country.
“A highly skilled workforce with relevant qualifications to prove employees have reached the standard required is vital to the future of the UK economy. Our learners will prove an inspiration to the thousands of young people visiting the Skills Show and I wish them the very best of luck in their quest to win Gold medals.”
The competitions organised by employer-led Enginuity , which is engineering skills for the future, are: Aeronautical Engineering (Avionic), Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical), CNC Milling, CNC Turning, Industrial Electronics, Mechanical Engineering:CAD, Mechatronics, Mobile Robotics, Construction MetalWork, Sheet MetalWork and Welding.
The Skills Show attracts around 75,000 visitors. It also provides a wide range of hands-on experiences for visitors to inspire them to explore skills, further education and Apprenticeships, helping them to gain advice on how to take the next step into the world of work.
They will have the opportunity to try over 45 skills for themselves in the interactive “Have a Go” experiences across the show in careers ranging from hairdressing to engineering, hospitality to plumbing.
The Skills Show is free to attend and open from 13-15 November 2014. For more information, and to book your place, please visit www.theskillsshow.com
