Students from the College of West Anglia (CWA) took a skills and careers event by storm winning two gold medals, one silver and a highly commended.

Eastern Daily Press: College of West Anglia at WorldSkills Awards. (L to R): Molly Pickels, Ann Compton (Curriculum Support Manager Care & Early Years CWA), Julia Saunders (Practice Development Nurse QEH), Harriet McDonald. Photo: Scott JarvisCollege of West Anglia at WorldSkills Awards. (L to R): Molly Pickels, Ann Compton (Curriculum Support Manager Care & Early Years CWA), Julia Saunders (Practice Development Nurse QEH), Harriet McDonald. Photo: Scott Jarvis (Image: Scott Jarvis)

WorldSkills UK brought apprentices, students and young people from across the country together in Birmingham to vie to be the best in their chosen skills.

This year CWA had eight finalists competing in the fields of digital video production, health and social care and carpentry.

Kate Bowyer, Thomas Coupland, Chelsea Everitt, Jon Gregory-Wood and Alex Williams took gold in the video competition. Harriett McDonald and Molly Pickels took gold and silver, respectively, in health and social care, while Jack Goodrum was highly commended in carpentry.

Harriet, Molly and Jack have all been selected for Squad UK. Members of Squad UK will now participate in a training and development programme, which will include the selection of Team UK for WorldSkills 2019.

Eastern Daily Press: College of West Anglia at WorldSkills Awards. (L to R from the back): Chelsea Everitt, Alex Williams, Jon Gregory-Wood, Jack Goodrum (carpentry), Molly Pickels, Harriet McDonald, Thomas Coupland, Kate Bowyer. Photo: Scott JarvisCollege of West Anglia at WorldSkills Awards. (L to R from the back): Chelsea Everitt, Alex Williams, Jon Gregory-Wood, Jack Goodrum (carpentry), Molly Pickels, Harriet McDonald, Thomas Coupland, Kate Bowyer. Photo: Scott Jarvis (Image: Scott Jarvis)

Ann Compton, CWA's curriculum support manager for care and early years, said, 'Harriet and Molly deserved to achieve the accolades that they did, they had to demonstrate knowledge, skills, care and compassion in a variety of scenarios. They should be very proud that they have been invited to join Squad UK, which could lead them to represent the UK in the WorldSkills 2019 finals in Russia.'

Dermott Brennan, programme manager for construction, said: 'Jack has spent three years at college completing his Level 3 course in carpentry. At WorldSkills UK, he was set a hipped roof as his task, which he completed to a very high standard. Jack is thrilled to have been recognised as highly commended and having been selected for Squad UK.'

Scott Jarvis, SpringboardTV manager at the college, said: 'I am really pleased for the students, it was clear how much this meant to them by how hard they worked at the finals and how pleased they were when they won gold.'

Hayley Rudd, CWA work placement coordinator for creative arts, said: 'I am extremely proud of all eight students, they conducted themselves professionally throughout the competition. This is a huge achievement for the media and health and social care departments to have been recognised as the best in the UK.'

David Pomfret, CWA Principal, said: 'There are many fantastic achievements across the college throughout the year, and I am delighted with the massive success of the students at the WorldSkills UK Finals. I would like to thank all those who encouraged and supported our students to engage in the competition, and I hope that this success inspires us all to believe that we can achieve our ambitions.'