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Powys County Times
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Powys: Rhayader cook on Team UK for EuroSkills 2025
A 20-year-old Powys student will join six other Welsh competitors later this year as part of Team UK at EuroSkills 2025. Gabrielle Wilson, from Rhayader, will compete at Europe's largest skills competition being held in Denmark in September. Team UK consists of 19 competitors from across the UK, with Wales making up an impressive 37 per cent of the team. Their participation highlights Wales' commitment to excellence in vocational skills and underscores the nation's ability to compete at the highest level on the European stage. Gabi was introduced to WorldSkills UK Competitions through her college, NPTC Group of Colleges, and quickly discovered a love for competing. After being awarded Highly Commended at the National Finals in 2023, her dedication and talent earned her a place on Team UK for EuroSkills Herning 2025. Gabi will be competing in the cooking competition against Europe's best. She said: 'I'm proud to represent both my college and Wales. Competing has really helped me with time management and organisation, but my favourite part is learning new skills and seeing the standard of competition up close.' Gabi continued: 'It's a great way to develop your skills in a live environment. I got the opportunity to work for a professional chef, which is something I couldn't have got in the classroom. I love being in a competition atmosphere. It really motivates me, and I'm excited to see where I stand among my European peers.' Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: As a digital subscriber you will get Unlimited access to the County Times website Advert-light access Reader rewards Full access to our app Competitions in Wales are delivered by Inspiring Skills, a Welsh Government-funded initiative dedicated to promoting vocational excellence. Through Skills Competition Wales and international training support, it helps young people develop expert skills, gain confidence, and represent Wales on international stages. EuroSkills is a vital stepping stone toward the ultimate stage – WorldSkills Shanghai in 2026, often dubbed the 'skills Olympics'.
Powys County Times
28-04-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Review recommends reconfiguring Powys sixth form provision
A MAJOR review of post-16 education in Powys will be revealed next month - and could see new centres set up in two Powys towns. One of the options for the review could see new centres for over-16s' education established in Brecon and Newtown in partnership with the NPTC Group of Colleges and other external providers. The review, which overall sets a long-term vision for post-16 education in Powys, will be reviewed by the council's learning and skills scrutiny committee on May 2 and received by the cabinet on May 13. The review recommends reconfiguring sixth form provision in the county, and is driven by the need for better outcomes for learners, provide equitable access to education for both Welsh-medium and English-medium learners, to improve the curriculum offer and to support financial sustainability. It examined Powys school-based provision and does not affect other providers that deliver post-16 education in the county. The review has identified three options to rationalise sixth form provision and recommends engagement with key stakeholders to support the development of a preferred way forward. It comes as the council continues to tackle the fall-out of a critical assessment of education in the county by Estyn. The council says it would would gather feedback from headteachers, learners, school staff, governors, parents/carers, Welsh Government and other stakeholders. Students' views on the preferred way forward to ensure any proposal would be "central", the council adds. Cllr David Selby, cabinet member for a more prosperous Powys, said: 'While the review concludes that schools and partners are committed to delivering post-16 provision through the Powys Chweched Sixth initiative, significant change is needed if the county is to deliver a post-16 education that meets the vision set out in the Learner Entitlement Criteria and the aspirations of future generations. 'It is recommending that stronger collaboration is fostered between all providers to offer a broader range of courses and improve learner outcomes, that support local businesses and assist the development of emerging technologies. 'The review identifies several options that we should consider if we are to meet the demands of the future, including the creation of a two-centre post-16 model. 'Powys sixth forms have performed well in the past but need to significantly change to meet the demands of the future and deliver truly world class provision for future Powys learners.
