West Wales students ready for WorldSkills National Finals
Among them is 17-year-old Elara Jones from Cardigan who is competing in the Beauty Therapy Practitioner competition.
Elara won a Gold Medal at the Skills Competition Wales competition in March this year in Beauty Therapy Practitioner level 3 category.
The Coleg Ceredigion student also won bronze in the beauty therapy category in last year's national finals and has achieved silver medals at levels one and two in Skills Competition Wales.
'Winning gold at Skills Competition Wales and now being selected for the WorldSkills UK National Finals shows that all the hard work and effort I've put in has really paid off,' said Elara.
'I'm so pleased, it feels like everything I've done has been building up to this moment, and it means a lot to see it all lead to something so exciting.'
This year's national final will be held in Wales for the very first time this November.
The UK's flagship skills competition will come to several Welsh venues allowing the country shine on the national stage.
With 417 competitors taking part from across the UK and 47 finals planned, this event is not just a contest but a nationwide celebration of world-class vocational and technical training.
Wales will be strongly represented; a record breaking 120 young people from across the country have earned their place following standout performances in qualifier heats.
This means 29 per cent of the national finalists will be Welsh competitors; an increase from last year's already impressive one in four.
Competitors will demonstrate their abilities in a wide range of disciplines, including 3D Digital Game Art, Aircraft Maintenance, Health and Social Care and Culinary Arts. Those who impress under pressure might be selected to represent the UK on the international stage at the 'Skills Olympics' in Japan in 2028.
Minister for culture, skills and social partnership Jack Sargeant said: 'These competitions show the real-world value and applications of apprenticeships and are invaluable in futureproofing our economy.
'I am proud Wales is hosting the WorldSkills Finals UK 2025. We have a beautiful country, and I hope all visitors will take some time to explore it.
'I wish this new cohort of competitors pob lwc – I know you'll do yourselves and us all proud.'
For more information on WorldSkills UK and how to start your journey as a competitor, tutor or employer in Wales, visit https://inspiringskills.gov.wales.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Wrexham told to snub Christian Eriksen for ex-England stars as phone call comes to light
Wrexham have been urged to target free agents Jamie Vardy or Callum Wilson to strengthen their Championship squad after making an approach for former Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen Wrexham have been told to prioritise the pursuit of two former England stars over Christian Eriksen. It was revealed last week that the Welsh side had made a sensational approach for the Danish midfielder following his departure from Manchester United. The 33-year-old is currently a free agent after leaving the Premier League giants in May. Eriksen's agent, Martin Schoots told the Daily Mail that Wrexham – owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney – was a "hugely impressive project". However, the ex- Tottenham and Ajax player rejected the newly-promoted Championship outfit's advances. It came after Eriksen was said to have expressed his eagerness to remain at the top level for as long as possible. Former Blackburn striker Matt Jansen has now encouraged the Red Dragons to chase either Leicester legend Jamie Vardy or ex- Newcastle forward Callum Wilson instead. Jansen, who also had a short spell at Wrexham towards the end of his career, said the duo would be better options for his old club as manager Phil Parkinson looks to bolster his squad. Speaking to OLBG, he said: "I think all the way through the spine of the team, they need to strengthen. Then it's a case of having a good run. If they have that, with confidence and belief, it would push them to the top of the table. "I would say they have a good four or five players to get, top class players, proven goalscorers, to get to the top level of the Championship. "Most importantly for them is a goalscorer and you'd be looking at the likes of a Jamie Vardy or a Callum Wilson, free agents at the moment. I think they would both be a better signing than Eriksen." Parkinson has admitted this week that Wrexham did try and sign Eriksen early in the summer transfer window. But he said the talks did not extend further than an initial conversation. "There was a call, a bit of dialogue over the summer, but it's not gone any further than that," Parkinson told BBC Sport Wales on Monday. "But obviously he's a majorly talented player and very well respected throughout football." Wrexham have made six new signings so far this summer, including striker Ryan Hardie, goalkeeper Danny Ward, defender Liberato Cacace, midfielders George Thomason and Lewis O'Brien and forward Josh Windass. The club is preparing for its first season in the second tier in 43 years and Parkinson said he was aiming to make further additions before their opening game at Southampton on August 9. He added: "We've been linked with so many players and if we'd been speaking to every player we've been linked with, I don't think we'd have had an hour to sleep over the last month. Some are true, some aren't. "But we're just going about our business and trying to get a squad which can represent the club in this division this season." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'. But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in... Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year.
Leader Live
6 hours ago
- Leader Live
Windass looks forward to Hardie reunion at Wrexham AFC
Windass, who has signed a three-year deal with the Reds, was alongside another Wrexham player during the part of his career when he was with Scottish giants Rangers. Windass told the club's YouTube channel: 'Ryan Hardie was in the Rangers youth team when I was playing there. 'So, he came up through the youths and, obviously, I've been in the changing room with him before and, yeah, he's a nice guy. So, I'm looking forward to seeing him again.' Windass was at Ibrox between 2016 and 2018, scoring 13 league goals in 55 appearances. During the 2017-18 campaign, he finished as the club's joint-top scorer with 18 goals in all competitions. Hardie, who signed for Wrexham from Plymouth Argyle earlier this summer, was with Rangers between 2014 and 2019, making 13 league appearances during his time there. Windass and Hardie are two of six new additions Reds' boss Phil Parkinson has secured this summer. Other new signings are Welsh international goalkeeper Danny Ward, New Zealander Liberato Cacace, from Empoli, former Bolton Wanderers captain George Thomason and midfielder Lewis O'Brien, who arrived for an undisclosed fee from Nottingham Forest last week. Windass - the son of former Hull City striker Dean - was a free agent after his contract at troubled Championship rivals Sheffield Wednesday was terminated by mutual consent. On his targets with Wrexham, Windass added: 'First and foremost, get in the team. Get the respect of my team-mates straight away. 'Be professional, be someone to look up to and then, obviously, in terms of the team, get as high up the league as possible and carry on the success that the club has been having.' On his message to the fans, Windass said: 'Just, obviously, I've seen loads of comments already off, obviously, the rumours and stuff like that, and just thank-you for all the messages and I can't wait to wear the badge.' The Reds are preparing for a first campaign in the second tier for more than four decades and they begin the season away to Southampton, relegated from the Premier League, on Saturday, August 9.
South Wales Argus
17 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Ebbw Vale: plans for statue of Steve Jones lodged
Alyson Tippings of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council's environment and regeneration department has applied to place the 2.85-metre-high statue at Ebbw Vale Sports Centre on Lime Avenue. Destination manager Ms Tipping explained that talks had been held between her department, the Sports Centre and other groups with an interest in the project. Ms Tipping said: 'The project is being delivered by a group that includes local authority staff, Aneurin Leisure staff, local councillors and a representative of the group who fundraised for the project. 'Steve Jones and his family have been involved in the selection of the design.' They selected a proposal by artist Tim Ward for the sculpture. The sculpture is to be a silhouette running figure mounted on a locally quarried limestone boulder. The total height of the proposal will be 3.4 metres and will be 'created' in 10mm marine grade 316 stainless steel, laser cut to shape with laser etched text in Welsh and English. The figure will be 2.85 metres high with a width of 1.5 metres and shows Steve Jones wearing the number 10 breaking the world record in 1984 when winning the Chicago Marathon. The steelwork will be securely fixed by resin fixed into a base on a boulder. A decision on the application is expected by September 2. Olympian and former marathon world record holder Mr Jones was awarded Blaenau Gwent's highest honour when councillors voted unanimously to award him the freedom of the county borough at a meeting in January. In April, Mr Jones joined councillors and guests online from his home in Boulder, Colorado in United States of America at an extraordinary council meeting where he received the honour.. The mover to award Mr Jones the freedom of Blaenau Gwent started last year when the council were asked by Lee Aherne chairman of Parc Bryn Bach running club, if anything would be done to commemorate the 40th anniversary of his world record run at the Chicago marathon. This feat took place on October 21, 1984. He held the marathon record for a British runner for 33 years until Mo Farah broke it in 2018. At the meeting Mr Aherne said: 'I was very luck in the 1980s to have stood on the starting lines when Steve was the best marathon runner in the world.' 'You are a bona fide legend.' Mr Jones told councillors 'You can't believe how honoured I feel to be accepting this award. 'Ebbw Vale is where I started running, my roots and family are still in Ebbw Vale. 'All the other things I have done in my life, even receiving my MBE from Princess Anne may stand second to this honour.'
