Students from Blackpool and The Fylde College who have excelled in the prestigious WorldSkills UK competitions gathered at Courtfields Restaurant at the College to celebrate their success.

Along with family, tutors, employers and the Principal, Pauline Waterhouse OBE, students who have won gold, bronze and highly commended awards in their categories were presented with cheques from the College and certificates to mark their achievements. They were then treated to afternoon tea prepared and served by catering students.

WorldSkills UK are quality assured skills competitions run annually both regionally and nationally each year in the UK. They aim to encourage people across the UK to excel in their vocational skill and help lift standards of training and performance promoting world class skills and international competitiveness.

Students Ben Drury, Katie Walch and Emma Morleyfrom the School of Business and Professional Studies entered the AAT Accounting competition as a team and won the gold medal at the national final in London. Joining them with a gold medal was Danielle Brabiner, who prevailed in the Advanced Nail Art category with her ‘Rio Carnival’ themed nail creations. Lisa Tanner-Marshall won bronze in the Intermediate Nail Art category, while mature student Michelle Rodgers scooped bronze in Advanced Reflexology, completing the trio of awards for the School of Hairdressing, Beauty and Related Therapies.

Two students from the School of Construction were highly commended in the national final of the Skillbuild competition in Wales, Charlie Fox for Painting and Decorating and Lee Cram for Carpentry.

Lisa Tanner-Marshall, bronze medal winner in Intermediate Nail Art said:

“It was a lot of hard work doing WorldSkills UK – you have to commit yourself from the minute you get the theme for the competition and do a lot of research to put together a portfolio for the judges as well as doing the nail art on the day. It takes a lot of time but when it does all come together, with the support of your tutor, it’s a great feeling.

“It meant a lot to get to the final, I thought more people would be better than me. To be in the top three in the UK was absolutely brilliant. My mum is really proud of me and it’s lovely to celebrate with her at this event.”

Katie Walch, gold medal winner in the AAT Accounting team competition added:

“It was great to be chosen to be on the team for WorldSkills UK. I work with Ben, one of the other team members and I knew Emma from class so we all worked well together for the competition.

“I was really nervous on the day of the final – I never thought we would win but finding out we had got the gold was surreal. I really enjoyed the whole experience and its been lovely coming to celebrate our win at College with the Principal.”

Pauline Waterhouse OBE, who is a WorldSkills UK Champion, congratulated the students, saying:

“For these students to be placed in the top five in the country in their profession is such an amazing achievement. I can’t stress how talented they are to compete and do so well, at the top level, against other leading colleges across the country.

“I know all the employers, staff, friends and family who have joined us are incredibly proud of them all and I’m sure the students would want to pay tribute to the fantastic tutors who have helped them through the competitions. This event has been a fabulous celebration for everybody involved.”