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Exeter College Apprentice Selected for WorldSkills UK Squad

Exeter College student Harry Colgrave is setting out on the road to Shanghai following his selection to Squad UK for the international WorldSkills competition in the Joinery category.  

Harry, 19, from Winkleigh, has been invited to join the prestigious WorldSkills UK Talent Development Programme after excelling in its national skills competitions, the finals of which were held recently at WorldSkills UK LIVE at the NEC in Birmingham.  

Harry Colgrave studied his Apprenticeship with Exeter College

The WorldSkills competition, which will next be held in Shanghai, China in 2021, takes place every two years and is known as the ‘Skills Olympics’. The competition will feature over 1000 of the world’s most talented Apprentices and students competing in over 50 different skills as they battle it out to be named the World Champion in their chosen skill.   

Ben Blackledge, Deputy Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK said: “Congratulations to Harry.” 

“This is a life-changing moment for him.  Harry has already excelled in the WorldSkills UK regional and national competitions – and now he is facing an even tougher test as he looks to secure his place to represent the UK on the world stage. He has already dedicated hundreds of hours improving his skills to get to this level – and has many months of hard work ahead of him with our training managers – enabling him to transform his career and life.”  

Ben Stone, Work-based Tutor at Exeter College, said, “We’re all incredibly proud that Harry will be part of the team representing the UK at WorldSkills. This is a fantastic chance for him to test his skills at an international level with the very best talent across the globe in the construction industry.” 

Harry will undertake an 18-month training programme with WorldSkills UK, supported by Exeter College, and will face the ultimate selection test in Spring 2021 when the team that will compete at WorldSkills Shanghai is finalised.  

The previous WorldSkills competition was held in 2019 in Kazan, Russia, where Team UK was awarded 19 Medals.  By competing in the competition, WorldSkills UK are able to identify global best practice, research and insight that will help the new UK government to deliver world class standards in technical education.  

Following the completion of his studies with Exeter College, Harry has launched his own business, HC Joinery.  

Find out more about Apprenticeships at Exeter College.

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Success for Exeter College Apprenticeships after WorldSkills UK Finals

Harry Colgrave, an advanced bench joinery Apprentice, impressed the judges with his woodwork abilities at this year’s WorldSkills UK in Birmingham. Competing against the best young joiners across the country, Harry managed to achieve a Bronze Award in the prestigious competition.  

Our college was honoured not only to have Harry in the finals of this national skills contest, but also Reece Foster, who created outstanding work in the cabinet making category.   

Exeter College’s Work-based Construction Tutor, Benjamin Stone, commented on the standard of the Apprentices, “Harry and Reece have continued their road to success from an early stage in their Apprenticeship. 

“Both learners have produced amazingly high-quality joinery work for their employers on numerous occasions. They have also happily impressed the experienced joinery Lecturer Gil Taylor, who is very fond of them both,” said Benjamin.   

The most exceptional Apprentices and young artisans from across the UK take part in the annual WorldSkills UK competition, all attempting to be the best in their chosen vocation. This competition accelerates young people’s careers; as they gain and improve on world-class skills that equip them for the workplace.   

To compete in the WorldSkills UK finals, students must be nominated by the assessors or lecturers and then attend a regional competition.   

Last June our Apprentices entered competitors for the painting and decorating, carpentry, joinery and cabinet making regional contests.  

The remarkable skill our Apprentices demonstrated earnt them well deserved distinctions in the cabinet making and joinery classes. This meant that Harry and Reece achieved their places in the national skill build final at the Birmingham NEC.   

Benjamin Stone concluded, “It was an honour for me to support and mentor these highly experienced tradesmen in action against the other seven competing regional finalists.”  

“I’m very proud to be a part of their success, and humble that they have acknowledged and thanked all of the Exeter construction staff for their accolades to date.”  

If you would like to share in the experiences Exeter College has to offer, applications are now open. 

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