Young engineers make WorldSkills UK final
Young engineers Jamie Robinson and Jamie Hayton have more than their Christian name in common.
Both are from West Cumbria, studying at Lakes College, working towards EAL qualifications, employed by Tata Steel and have their sights set on a Gold medal having made it through to the WorldSkills UK finals.
They will be taking their place in the Welding final – one of the 13 WorldSkills UK engineering competitions run by skills specialists Enginuity being held at the Skills Show in Birmingham’s NEC from 13-15 November.
And for 25-year-old Jamie Hayton from Frizington, it is an extra special feeling having become a new dad to Leila earlier this month.
“I am very proud,” he said. “The skills we have learned at Lakes College and at Tata are unbelievable and have helped us get on to the world stage which is a big thing for the company and West Cumbria. I would love to win – that’s my goal. I have a lot of passion for welding. I am on a high after the birth of my daughter and a gold medal would top it all off.”
Jamie Robinson, 22, from Workington, said: “It means a lot to be here. We have put a lot of hard work into it and hopefully it will pay off. It has been a long journey, we have learned a lot of life and work skills. We are very competitive towards each other but we are also great mates.”
They will found out if they have 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 the two Jamies 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 run and supported 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
