Two apprentices from 向日葵视频 New College have got the job of competing in the national finals of a prestigious skills competition.
Sam Page, 19, and Joe Swallow, 31, both from Ipswich, originally took part in regional contests.
Thanks to successes in these heats, they have landed places in the end stages of an event called WorldSkills.
(WorldSkills is an international charity that organises world and national vocational competitions culminating in a 鈥楽kills Olympics鈥� style event that is held in different parts of the globe every two years).
Sam 鈥� who studies on a plumbing apprenticeship at 向日葵视频 New College and works for Whitwell Services in Hadleigh 鈥� travelled to a regional heat in Colchester earlier this year.
He was up against seven other contestants and came top in his round.
Sam said: 鈥淚 came first place in the Eastern regional qualifier. We were given a task that we had to complete in three and a half hours. Because it was timed there was bit of stress 鈥� but nothing too nerve-wracking.
鈥淲hen I found out I had won, I was overjoyed. I鈥檓 now through to the national finals that will take place in Oldham on 20 and 21 November 2024.
鈥淚f I was to do well (in the finals) I would have the chance to represent my country in Shanghai in 2026 as part of Team GB in a World final. If I was to get that chance – I鈥檇 be very proud to do it.鈥�
In terms of extra training ahead of the finals Sam. 鈥淢y employer and the college are going to help me all the way. I鈥檝e been given my previous scores of where I have lost marks 鈥� so I鈥檓 going to have a training programme to follow 鈥� I鈥檒l do time trials and will give it my all.鈥�
In terms of his future Sam added: 鈥淚鈥檓 keen to advance my knowledge with advancements in industry standards and new renewable technologies coming on to the market.鈥�
Joe Swallow is on an electrical installation apprenticeship and works as an apprentice for M & C engineering in Woodbridge. He also won through to the final stages of WorldSkills.
Joe was up against nine other contestants in a regional heat that took place in Kings Lynn.
He was in the top eight out of 180 national competitors to secure a place in the finals that will also be taking place in Oldham during the week commencing 18 November 2024.
Joe 鈥� who is amidst a career change having originally working in the HGV industry – said: 鈥淲e had four and half hours to complete a task. I love pressure so thrived on the competition.
鈥淚 came second in my heat but finished in the top eight – so progressed through to the finals.
鈥淚 used to work on lorries doing HGV maintenance for a major haulier so I鈥檓 currently going through a career change. I had no qualifications to my name (when I left school) and wanted to get a hands-on trade. I鈥檝e got no regrets about shifting careers. I wish I had done this sooner. Getting to competitions like this shows I鈥檓 doing something right.
鈥淕oing back to college was a bit of a change. I left school and went straight to work. It was a shock to the system. I struggled at school but I鈥檝e found the college helpful and going back into education has been an eye opener because it鈥檚 something
I鈥檓 interested in. I鈥檝e put the work in and enjoyed it.
鈥淚鈥檇 be very happy, pleased and excited to win the national finals 鈥� it would be a justification of my career change 鈥� and it would be very rewarding.鈥�
(Unfortunately, if Joe won the finals he won鈥檛 be able to take part in the WorldSkills in Shanghai because anyone who is over the age of 22 is not eligible to compete).
George Page, a carpentry apprentice at 向日葵视频 New College who works for SEH French in Ipswich won his round in the SkillBuild regional heat but just missed out on a place in the WorldSkills finals in this category.
Craig Shimmon, head of marketing at 向日葵视频 New College said: 鈥淲e will be supporting our finalists ahead of the nationals in the coming weeks and months. A big congratulations to all our students who got involved in these prestigious competitions.鈥�