Over 100 students from around the country to compete in national contest hosted by Exeter College
OVER 100 students from around the country will compete in a national skills contest hosted by Exeter College this week.
It is the first time the college has hosted the Worldskills uk competition for the category of Uniformed Public Services Southern Region Final (Emergency Services and Armed Forces).
The exciting event on Thursday, April 24, will see teams of young people from 10 colleges battling out in the sports grounds of the University of Exeter.
Their skills in teamwork, communication, fitness and industry know-how will all be put to the test as they try to win Gold and get one step closer to competing in the World Finals later this year.
Employers taking part in the event are the Royal Marines who will set a reconnaissance task, the Army who will set a mini assault course, plus the RAF, Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Devon and Cornwall Police and Royal Navy. The contest has been organised by Exeter College’s public services students who are preparing for careers in the field.
Awards will be presented by the Lord Mayor of Exeter Councillor Hazel Slack.
Last year Exeter College entered a team for the first time in the same contest held at Southampton. Despite competing against colleges experienced in the competition, the Exeter students won gold.
Simon Robinson-Barr, public services lecturer at Exeter College and event organiser, said: “Members of the Public Services and our students will be running contests for visiting teams from colleges all over the country to compete and try and win the Gold. As Exeter College students are hosting the event and helping to run it, it will be a great day to show off their skills and highlight the possible career options in the Public Services with all of them being in the public eye on the day.”
Worldskills uk is a Government-backed organisation which runs competitions in the education sector. There is a big drive at the moment for the UK to enter teams in events as the UK have won the bid to host the World Championships in 2011.
