A FLINTSHIRE student has won gold in the construction metal work final of a national skills competition.

Oliver Artell-Bolland, 19, who studies fabrication and welding at Coleg Cambria competed against three other students from across Wales in a series of construction challenges at Skills Competition Wales, which is backed by the Welsh Government through the European Social Fund

Oliver said: “Ahead of the competition, I used my CAD skills to make my own drawing of the brief given to us so I could visualise what we had to construct in the competition.

The competitors were required to fabricate a support stand to test their construction skills in welding, drilling, cutting and assembling.

The GJ Maintenance apprentice said: “In the future, I hope to keep my options open within the fabrication and metal work industry whilst also exploring management roles in the sector.”

More than 40 competitions are taking place this year, across a wide range of different vocations from forensic science and fashion technology to 3D game and food preparation.

The event, held in colleges across the country, are designed to celebrate vocational skills and create highly skilled, talented employees for the Welsh workforce.

Those who are successful may then go on to be shortlisted for the UK Squad, competing against the world’s most talented young people at the WorldSkills international final in Shanghai, China in 2021.

Ken Skates AM, Minister for Economy and Transport, said: “Skills Competition Wales is such an important event, allowing multi-talented young people the length and breadth of Wales to put their skills to the test, building on their excellence and experiences across various fields with the opportunity to then progress and compete at UK national and international level.

“It’s also an opportunity to show the breadth of talent we have here in Wales and to celebrate the Welsh companies who are nurturing and reaping the rewards of such highly skilled, talented employees. Ensuring Wales has the skills needed for economic success has long been a priority for me personally and for the Welsh Government more broadly and it’s fantastic to see skills acknowledged in this way.

“I would like to say well done to everyone who has competed this year and add my congratulations to Oliver on his brilliant achievement. Best of luck to Oliver in the next stage of the competition and I look forward to seeing him prosper in his future career.”