Two award-winning carpenters, who both trained at Coleg Sir Gar, were at the Welsh Assembly on Wednesday (24 June) to showcase the skills that have earned them a chance to compete for the UK in a forthcoming, global competition.Gareth Evans, aged 21, from Llanedi, and Cliff Williams, also aged 21, from Talley, attended the VQ (Vocational Qualifications) Day celebrations in the National Assembly for Wales where they demonstrated their practical skills for Mid and West Wales Assembly Member, Joyce Watson.
Gareth and Cliff, who both achieved an NVQ Level 3 in Site Carpentry at Coleg Sir Gar’s Built Environment centre, recently won the gold and silver medals, respectively, in the carpentry category of the UK-wide Skillbuild competition — Britain’s largest skills competition.
As a result, they will now compete against each other for the honour of representing the UK at this year’s prestigious WorldSkills competition, to be held in Canada in September.
Despite going head-to-head in the final, the pair told the AM that whoever gets through, the other will travel with him to offer support.
Joyce said: “I was hugely impressed by the work Gareth and Cliff had on display. I wish them both the best of luck for the final competition and I’m sure, who ever goes through, they’ll do Carmarthenshire proud.
“VQ Day is a great event because it celebrates the vocational achievements of people like Gareth and Cliff and recognises the fact that more and more people in Wales are choosing to undertake vocational training.
“The number of NVQs (National Vocational Qualifications) awarded last year increased by 14 per cent compared with 2006/07, and 46,890 NVQs and 75,190 VRQs (Vocational Related Qualifications) were awarded in Wales in 2007/08. “
VQ Day is a nationwide celebration of vocational achievement which was launched in 2008 to raise the profile of VQs and give those who secure vocational qualifications the same pride of place as those who achieve academic success.
The event in the Senedd exhibited the skills of young people from all over Wales who have gained qualifications in a wide range of vocational courses – from carpentry to catering; holistic therapy to hair & beauty.
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