Coleg Cambria is celebrating an impressive medal haul after eight of its most talented learners and apprentices represented the college at the WorldSkills UK National Finals.

The prestigious event, widely known as the ‘Skills Olympics’, was hosted in Wales for the first time. 

More than 400 of the UK’s top apprentices and learners competed across five venues and over 40 skill areas, from Engineering and Construction to Beauty Therapy, Hospitality and the Creative Industries. 

Among them were Cambria’s competitors from Wrexham and Deeside, who faced intense challenges designed by industry experts to test technical ability, precision, teamwork and resilience under pressure.

The outstanding results for Coleg Cambria included:

• Gold for Evie McManus (Beauty Therapy)
• Gold for Robert Jones (Aircraft Maintenance)
• Silver for Mark Wright (Construction Metalwork)
• Bronze for Lydia Roberts (Beauty Therapy)
• Highly Commended for Hannah Back (Aircraft Maintenance)

Other competitors proudly representing Cambria and its employer partners included Aircraft Maintenance learner Patrick Dunne and CNC milling specialists Jo Arrowsmith and Tomos Roberts.

This success formed part of a record-breaking year for Wales, which fielded its largest-ever team of 122 competitors. Team Wales secured 57 medals overall, with North Wales learners – including those from Coleg Cambria and partner employers such as Airbus UK – contributing 2 Gold, 3 Silver, 4 Bronze and 2 Highly Commended awards.

Robert Jones, Cambria’s Skills Competition Lead, praised the effort behind the scenes and said: “This would not have been possible if it were not for the specialist workshops, bespoke training, pressure tests and a high calibre of training delivered by our technical training officers, lecturers and training managers who have been a key part of their journey from competition entry to the national finals.”

Lisa Radcliffe, Assistant Principal for Technical Studies at Deeside, added: “Each medal represents countless hours of hard work and the unwavering commitment these learners have shown to mastering their craft. 

We are immensely proud of their achievements and inspired by the bright futures they are creating through skill, determination, and excellence.”

Beauty Therapy tutors Ruth Payton and Charlotte Darbey commended the medal-winning duo: “They were so focused and calm under pressure, we are incredibly proud of them both.”

Jamie Mapp-Jones, Curriculum Director for Full-time Apprenticeships, said: “These results highlight the exceptional standard of skills training at Coleg Cambria and the dedication of our learners, staff, and employer partners. Their achievements demonstrate what is possible when talent, passion and high-quality teaching come together.”

Aircraft Maintenance gold medallist Robert Jones reflected on his own journey following his golden performance: “After taking gold at Skills Competition Wales and Silver at Nationals, I was determined to go for gold this time. The experience has been invaluable – representing Wales makes me so proud.”

The national finals followed the inspiring Team Wales Torch Relay, which travelled across the country uniting colleges and communities in celebration of skills. With its first-time hosting of the finals and its strongest performance yet, Wales has firmly established itself as a powerhouse for vocational excellence and talent development.

Medallists from this year’s event now have the chance to join Squad UK, potentially representing their country at future international WorldSkills competitions.