Apprentices throughout Wales are being inspired to place their abilities to the check in opposition to the perfect by coming into the WorldSkills UK 2023 competitions.
The decision comes from the Nationwide Coaching Federation of Wales (NTFW) and Inspiring Expertise Excellence in Wales (ISEiW), who’re calling on work-based studying suppliers and employers to assist apprentices to showcase their expertise.
Apprentices wishing to enter this yr’s WorldSkills UK competitions can register on-line at right here till March 24.
The competitions stretch and problem learners, giving them completely different experiences inside their vocational area by coaching with business professionals.
Kavan Cox who excelled in WorldSkills UK and Expertise Competitors Wales final yr.
Employers discover the expertise inspirational for his or her enterprise and their workforce, while apprentices obtain effectively deserved recognition for his or her abilities and data.
Lisa Mytton, strategic director of the NTFW, a community of work-based studying suppliers, mentioned:
“Having just lately witnessed learners participating in a abilities competitors, I encourage all work-based studying suppliers and their apprentices to have interaction with this yr’s WorldSkills UK and discover out extra about the way to enter.
“The alternatives for apprentices are implausible and lots of of those that have participated have gone on to develop into abilities ambassadors and progress their profession. Their employers profit from having extremely motivated workers who possess excellent abilities and are targeted on self-development.”
Paul Evans is venture director ISEiW, a Welsh Authorities funded venture which provides Welsh learners a possibility to benchmark their abilities in opposition to the remainder of the UK and internationally by way of competitions.
ISEiW, which organises Expertise Competitors Wales and helps Welsh learners in WorldSkills UK, has helped Wales to develop into the highest UK area for abilities for the final seven years.
Thirty-eight of the 94 learners chosen for Squad UK to compete for a spot in Group UK at WorldSkills Lyon in 2024 come from Wales.
“The spine of a powerful economic system is constructed on abilities,” mentioned Paul. “When you get the muse proper, the economic system will prosper.
“I’m encouraging all work-based studying suppliers and employers throughout Wales to assist their apprentices to enter WorldSkills UK competitions as a result of after they do, they obtain phenomenal outcomes.
“We work with the perfect younger individuals, tutors, work-based studying practitioners and employers throughout Wales however there may be at all times room for extra.
“Coming into the competitions doesn’t simply stretch and problem the learner, it additionally exposes work-based studying suppliers and employers to nationwide and worldwide requirements.
“The influence of the competitions on people is actually life altering. Competitions concentrate on a learners’ efficiency beneath strain, time and high quality, all attributes needed by employers. Consequently, we’re seeing extra assist coming immediately from employers.”
A number of Welsh learners excelled in final yr’s WorldSkills UK and Expertise Competitors Wales. They included Kavan Cox, 19, who gained silver within the WorldSkills Basis Expertise for IT Software program Options for Enterprise class while a Jobs Progress Wales+ learner with ACT Coaching.
Kavan, who lives in Hirwaun, additionally gained a gold medal for Buyer Service Degree 1 within the Expertise Competitors Wales whereas fellow ACT Coaching learner Kian Davies gained a bronze medal.in the identical competitors.
“Simply by participating within the competitions made me really feel extra assured and allowed me to make use of the talents I had gained,” mentioned Kavan, who wish to convert a piece expertise placement with the Job Centre in Aberdare into an apprenticeship. “It was superior to win the medals and I might advise different apprentices to make use of their abilities and enter the competitions.”
Different Expertise Competitors Wales successes got here within the Accountancy class the place apprentices Sara Mariica McQueen from ACT Coaching and Ricky O’Callaghan and Stephanie Watkins, each from ALS Coaching, all gained gold medals and Eric Brown gained a bronze medal within the Help Technician class.
Michael Evans, monetary accountant on the Workplace for Nationwide Statistics, Newport, the place Stephanie has just lately been promoted, mentioned:
“The first benefit of being an apprentice is the chance to realize hands-on expertise whereas concurrently increasing skillsets.
“Collaborating in these competitions permits people to match their abilities and capabilities with these in comparable conditions, benefiting not solely the rivals, but in addition the organisation by serving as a efficiency indicator for our studying and improvement choices and profession development alternatives.
“Successful a gold medal at Expertise Competitors Wales has drastically boosted Stephanie’s confidence and opened up additional alternatives for skilled development. She was just lately promoted internally and continues to progress in her finance profession.
“I might advocate apprenticeships as a implausible strategy to upskill and assist enterprise wants.”
Of earlier WorldSkills UK entrants, 97% mentioned they improved their technical abilities after participating and 93% mentioned they improved their private and employability abilities. The typical earnings of those that participated in competitors improvement programmes is 60 per cent greater than these of a comparable peer group.
