Pembrokeshire College has stormed to the very top of the UK skills stage – topping the national medal table across both mainstream and Foundation Skills competitions and cementing its reputation as one of the UK’s most outstanding centres for technical excellence.
Wales hosted the WorldSkills UK National Finals for the first time this year, with more than 400 of the nation’s best apprentices and learners competing across over 40 skill areas including engineering, hospitality, digital technologies, construction, creative industries and life skills. With 122 Welsh competitors – Wales’ largest-ever team – the Finals marked a landmark moment for the country’s skills sector.
And at the heart of that success was Pembrokeshire College.
After three days of intense competition across five South Wales venues, Pembrokeshire College emerged as joint top of the entire UK medal table, tying for first place alongside Cardiff and Vale College.
Across mainstream competitions, Pembrokeshire competitors delivered a stunning set of results:
- Gold – Culinary Arts: Otis Lorton
- Silver – Restaurant Service: Darcie Garnon
- Silver – Beauty Therapy Practitioner: Lily Mathias
- Bronze – Welding: Mason Aitchison (Pembrokeshire College / Ledwood)
- Highly Commended – Metal Fabricator: Henry Nelson
The College didn’t just dominate in mainstream competitions – it led the UK in Foundation Skills too.
With more than 70 SEND and high-needs competitors taking part in eight national finals, Foundation Skills once again proved to be one of the most inspiring parts of WorldSkills UK with Pembrokeshire College topping the league table here as well with the following results:
- Gold – Creative Media (Team Life Skills Academy): Denver Picton, Dylan Raymond, Phoebe Stannett
- Gold – Horticulture: Junior Rozhon
- Silver – Horticulture: Matthew Duncombe
- Highly Commended – Horticulture: Celyn Sollis
These results placed Pembrokeshire joint first in the UK for Foundation Skills, showcasing the College’s commitment to inclusive, accessible learning opportunities and pathways into employment.
WorldSkills UK Chief Executive Ben Blackledge described competitors as “the new generation of highflyers who will give UK employers a competitive edge”, while Skills Minister Jack Sargeant praised the “exceptional success” of Team Wales and the inspirational standard of competition.
Pembrokeshire College Principal, Dr Barry Walters added: “To finish top of the UK in both mainstream and Foundation Skills is an extraordinary achievement and a moment of immense pride for our College and our county. Our learners have shown professionalism, resilience and talent at the very highest national level. Their success reflects the dedication of our staff, the strength of our employer partnerships, and the ambition that drives Pembrokeshire College every single day. We are absolutely thrilled for every medal winner, the tutors and family who supported them to compete – and for every competitor who pushed themselves to be their best.”
From engineering and creative media to hospitality, beauty and horticulture, Pembrokeshire College has proven that learners from West Wales can outperform and outshine the very best in the UK.
With many medallists now potentially progressing toward Squad UK and even the WorldSkills International Finals in Aichi, Japan in 2028, this is just the beginning.
Pembrokeshire College is officially one of the UK’s elite centres for skills excellence – setting the standard, breaking new ground, and inspiring the next generation of Welsh talent.
