Three Hull College students will be competing in the 2022 WorldSkills UK finals this week.

More than 500 finalists will compete for gold, silver and bronze in 62 different disciplines at six colleges across the UK between Monday 14th November - Friday 18th November, including our very own trio of Amy Moore, Katy Penney and Meesha Mawhinney.

Amy will travel to Belfast Metropolitan College to compete in the Confectionary and Patisserie category on Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th November, whilst Katy and Meesha head to Blackpool & The Fylde College to compete in the Nail Technician final - also on Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th November.

Barking & Dagenham College, Cardiff & Vale College, Edinburgh College and Middlesbrough College are the other colleges that will host finals. The winners of each competition will be announced by Steph McGovern in a special live medal ceremony show broadcast from her 'Packed Lunch' studio on Friday 25th November.

Level 2 Patisserie student Amy Moore said: “I was so excited when I got the call to say I'd made the national finals. The whole competition has been a joy to part of so far and I can't wait to go to Belfast, even if there are a few nerves as well. I'm very much someone who strives to improve and taking part in WorldSkills has provided the perfect opportunity to challenge and push myself, along with learning and developing new skills that will only aid and help me to embark on a career in the industry. Phil Dixon and all the tutors at the college were really supportive throughout my course and it's been really nice to have someone with Phil's experience to help me throughout my WorldSkills journey.”

Level 3 Advanced Nail Enhancements student Katy Penney said: “I couldn't quite believe it when I found out that I'd made the final. It came as real shock but it was a real confidence booster for me as well. To think, out of everyone that entered the Nails competition in the whole of the UK, I'm one of the last eight involved. To have done that with the skills I've learnt during my time at college is an amazing feeling and something I'm very proud of.

“I've always been my own biggest critic but participating in WorldSkills has done me the world of good and I'm so glad I was persuaded to enter by my tutors, Kerry and Emma. With everything I've achieved in the competition so far, it's given me so much more belief in myself and my abilities. Getting ready for the finals it has been time consuming, but I'm sure all of the hard work will prove worthwhile. I'm so excited for the challenges that lie ahead.”

Designed by industry experts, WorldSkills UK competitions help apprentices, young people and students of all ages to grow personally and professionally, developing their technical and employability skills and boosting their confidence.

The programme has a real impact on those taking part, with 90% of previous entrants saying their career progression improved after competing and 86% stating their personal and employability skills had improved.

As well as boosting their skills and confidence, competitors who impress under the pressure of a national final could be in with a chance of representing the UK at the “skills olympics” in France in 2024.

Skills competitions such as WorldSkills are a fantastic way for our students to showcase the skills they develop whilst in education and at college and, here at Hull College, we actively encourage all of our students to enter numerous regional and national competitions in a wide range of vocational areas to aid their development. Everyone at the college would like to wish Amy, Katy and Meesha the very best of luck and every success in their finals.

For more information on WorldSkills UK, please visit www.worldskillsuk.org/.

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