Apprentice Welders Best in Wales

Jul 2010 CR

Three apprentice welders from Pembrokeshire College’s Mitec Centre have been officially crowned the best in Wales.

The three apprentices who previously wiped the board at the BOC Apprentice Welder Regional Final in May were crowned the best welding apprentices in Wales at the Welsh Championship Final. Held at Deeside College on 29 and 30 June the apprentices secured first place as well as joint runner-up places putting them streets ahead of the other regional finalists.

The competition saw the learners undertake four welding processes under the watchful eye of the judges. Scored on technique and neatness the trainee welders led the field with their flair for welding which resulted in first place going to Craig Wheeler, aged 17 from Pembroke, who is employed by Ledwood Engineering and joint runner-up places going to Ian Harries, aged 20 from Haverfordwest, who is employed by Mainport 1990 and Jeremy Coombs, aged 17 from Milford Haven who is employed by Ryhal Engineering. All three will now be entered into SkillWeld 2012 where they will compete against trainee welders from across the UK.

Mike Tennick, welding tutor at Mitec commented: “All three apprentices have been excellent trainees. They’ve listened to the advice given and worked hard on developing their technique and skills. I am especially pleased for Jeremy and Ian who came here in September with no welding skills at all and they are now the top apprentice welders in Wales after only six months of training in our workshops. All three learners have done themselves and their employers proud. For our welders to walk away with the top three places in the Welsh Final is an impressive achievement for Mitec and reinforces the quality of the training we are delivering.”

The competition judges have been so impressed with the welding talent they have seen emerging from Pembrokeshire College’s Mitec Centre over the last twelve months that they have approached the centre for input into future competitions. The event organisers are planning a visit to the Mitec Centre to view the facilities with the possibility of the College hosting competitions in the future.

Organised by BOC, the Apprentice Welding Competition is viewed across the sector as being a good indicator of learners who have the potential to represent the UK in future prestigious international welding competitions such as SkillWeld where world class skills and international competitiveness are promoted.

Ian Harries (joint runner-up) commented: “After competing in the regional finals we knew what was going to be expected of us but we only really had two or three days beforehand to practice which was a bit worrying. The welder who came second in last year’s final was also competing so we knew the standard was going to be really high.” Jeremy added: “It’s down to Mike and Jo (college welding tutors) that we’ve done so well, we wouldn’t have got to this stage if it wasn’t for them. Competing at this level has been a really good experience for us and I think we’ve all got a lot out of it.”

Anyone interested in undertaking a welding course at the college should contact the admissions team on 0800 9 776 788 for details of courses starting in September.

For further information, call the marketing team on 01437 753162 or email marketing@pembs.ac.uk