Oldham College hosting events in 'Skills Olympics' this week

This exclusive showcase of skills excellence gets underway at the Rochdale Road campus today (Tuesday, November 19), marking the end of seven months of rigorous training and regional heats involving thousands of learners nationwide.

The WorldSkills UK finals will see highly-accomplished students and apprentices competing across 49 profession-based competitions and putting the skills they’ve learned to the test.

The college is welcoming more than 80 competitors from across the UK who will be taking part in nine finals- 3D digital game art, accountancy technician, digital construction, electrical installation, landscaping, mechanical engineering CAD, plumbing, refrigeration and air conditioning, and website development.

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Running over three days, staff and students will also be cheering on the record eight finalists who will be representing the college at other locations in competitions for digital media production, IT support technician and foundation skills: IT software for business.

College Principal and chief executive, Simon Jordan, said: “We’re really proud to be one of Greater Manchester’s host venues for WorldSkills UK National Finals 2024.

“This is an amazing opportunity to showcase Oldham College, but also to highlight and celebrate the next generation of talent that is emerging from across four nations and all industry sectors.

Milena Icheke says WorldSkills has taught her to develop her problem-solving skills and to manage issues (Image: Oldham College)

“Every single competitor here this week is already a champion and these finals give them a major platform to compete against the best of their peers and be part of a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“We are looking forward to welcoming them to Oldham and encouraging them all to show off their talents and achieve their best potential performance.”

The college will also be welcoming hundreds of other visitors this week to attend events and see the action, including Baroness Smith, Minister of State (Minister for Skills) in the Department for Education, as well as WorldSkills UK officials, employers, traders, local schools and influential figures in the education sector.

Learners will also be taking part in Excellence Week "pressure test" contests across campus in preparation for next year’s WorldSkills UK competitions and will be able to watch a National Finals livestream in every building.

Tyler Bartley says taking part in WorldSkills was a big step for him (Image: Oldham College)

Jess Criswell, the college’s Vice Principal for 16-19 and adult programmes, said: “As a member of WorldSkills UK’s Centre of Excellence, we’ve been embedding their approach and learning across all our curriculum through a specialist team of educators over the past three years.

“Every single one of our learners gets the chance to join in this competition journey each year: helping to raise their aspirations and performance levels and to give them the edge in preparing for the workplace.

“We’re particularly excited to have a record eight national finalists this time. Every competitor who has got to this stage has already reached a fantastic standard and, if they are successful, they could go on next to represent the UK in international competitions.”

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The college will share updates on the contests and progress of its learners on its social media channels, while competitions can also be watched on a livestream.

WorldSkills UK National Finals conclude on Friday (November 22) at Bridgwater Hall in Manchester where the medallists for each competition will be announced.

The Foundation Skills competitions, and the accompanying medal ceremony, will also take place that day at The Manchester College City Campus.