Industry Giants Scout Next Generation of Talent at Inter-College Skills Competition

Inspire Education Group hosted the highly anticipated Inter-College Skills Competition across Construction and Engineering.

Peterborough College and Stamford College took part in the Inter-College Skills Competition, hosted at IEG’s Peterborough campus, which redefined what is possible for entry-level vocational students. While Level 1 is the beginning of a student’s journey, this event proved it is also a powerful gateway to professional employment. 

The competition provided a rare and vital opportunity for over 100 students from 10 further regional colleges, including Peterborough College, Stamford College, Boston College, Cambridge Regional College, Tresham College, Bedford College, Grantham College, College of West Anglia, West Suffolk College and City College Norwich.

Gary McPartland, Assistant Principal at Inspire Education Group, said:
“WorldSkills UK endorsement is an important recognition of the quality and ambition of our Skills Competitions. These events give learners the chance to showcase their abilities against recognised standards, while allowing employers to see talent in action. It’s a powerful way to strengthen progression into apprenticeships and skilled employment, while supporting the needs of the local and regional economy.”

By competing in areas such as Bricklaying, Carpentry, Electrical, Engineering, Motor Vehicle, and Plumbing, students were able to showcase their technical skills to a judging panel of potential employers, seek new career opportunities through networking, and gain industry-validated confidence by having their work evaluated by experts. 

Over 20 industry experts lent their time and expertise to ensure that the competition met professional standards. The judging panels featured specialists from across the region: 

• Carpentry and Joinery:
  Paul Vasey (Allison Homes), John Speddings (JS Carpentry and Joinery), Ben Goodley (BG Carpentry), and Oliver Shepherd (Frame King Ltd).
• Bricklaying:
  Andy McPartlin (Allison Homes), James Laurie, and Chris Gibbson (JRL Brickwork).
• Electrical Installation:
  Steven Thompson (EAS), Bradley Moore (LEW), and Mark Brear (EML).
• Plumbing:
  Chris Rossin (Warmflow), Kirt Powell (Kirt Powell Plumbing and Heating), and Brendan Cocks.
• Engineering:
  Nigel Wilkinson (Baker Perkins), Steve Nicholls, and Matt Logan (Crown Packaging).
• Motor Vehicle:
  David Slevin (Smiths Motor Group) and Alex Dedynski (ATD Vehicle Specialists).

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Endorsed by WorldSkills UK, the competition allowed participants to benchmark their abilities against their peers and realise their potential on a national standard. To celebrate the high level of craft displayed, a premier selection of professional trade tool prizes was awarded to the top performers in each category, providing them with the essential kit needed to kickstart their professional journeys.

Parisa Shirazi, Director of Standards, WorldSkills UK said: 
“Congratulations to all those who took part in the Inter-College Skills Competition.  Competition-based learning is recognised by educators as one of the most powerful tools for driving quality improvement, as well as developing and assessing technical skills.  This Framework is designed to raise standards, inspire ambition, and provide teaching staff and learners with access to world-class skills development to meet the rapidly changing demands of both existing and emerging industries.”

We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors, CTEC, Tilgear, NOCN, and LEW, for providing a wealth of combined support. This investment, featuring a mix of financial backing and premium equipment, contributed to the prizes received for First, Second and Third. Every student also walked away with a WorldSkills certificate for participating. 

The presence of these sponsors, alongside major names like Allison Homes, Princebuild, Travis Perkins, Bosch, and Baker Perkins, demonstrated to students that their skills have immediate and immense value in the modern marketplace.