Oldham College to part-host Worldskills UK finals in 2023

Ben Blackledge, Interim CEO of WorldSkills UK, is pictured with Joseph Brooks, Graphic Design Apprentice at Oldham College and Gold Medal winner 2022, and his employer, Lee Morris of Rhino Group

Oldham College has been chosen to host a number of WorldSkills UK 2023 national finals in the Autumn.

WorldSkills UK is a ‘skills Olympics’ which sees students and apprentices from across the country competing in profession-based competitions, putting the skills they’ve learned on their courses to the test.

Six of the 50 total competition finals - in Digital Construction, Electrical Installation, Horticulture (Foundation), Landscaping, Mechanical Engineering: CAD and Plumbing - will be hosted at Oldham College’s Rochdale Road campus later this year.

The finals begin on November 14 and will culminate in an awards ceremony taking place three days later at Bridgewater Hall where all the winners will be announced.

Jess Criswell, Vice Principal for Curriculum Teaching and Learning at Oldham College, said: "It’s fantastic that the WorldSkills UK finals are taking place across Greater Manchester in Autumn - and we’re thrilled to be hosting six finals.

“As part of their Centre of Excellence we have embedded WorldSkills UK’s approach and learning across our curriculum over the past two years with a specialist team of educators.

“Through this we give every learner the chance to compete in this amazing experience that helps them to raise their aspirations and performance levels, and ultimately to get ready for the world of work.

“Inspired by our first-ever gold medallists last year, we registered our biggest-ever squad for 2023 with 190 learners registering to take part.

"These learners are benefiting from an unique opportunity and we are excited to see how they perform.”

Ben Blackledge, Interim CEO of WorldSkills UK, said: "We are delighted to be bringing the National Finals to Greater Manchester this Autumn.

"With 50 finals spread over nine venues there will be something for everyone.

"As well as boosting young people’s personal skills and developing the skills that employers and the economy needs, events like the WorldSkills UK National Finals shine a light on the vital importance of high-quality skills to the UK and the vast talent and potential we have in the next generation."

This year’s competition is already underway, with qualifiers taking place at regional level over the coming weeks.

Oldham College will be sharing updates on the progress of its learners on its social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and LinkedIn.

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