A Carlisle College student has been shortlisted for the national finals of a competition.
Nell Tomlinson has been shortlisted for the Skillbuild 2021 National Finals.
The three-day event will be held in November at the National Construction College in Bircham Newton, Norfolk, and will include students from across the UK.
Nell’s success comes after her participation in the joinery category of the NCG Skills Competition which was held earlier in the year. NCG Skills was designed to strengthen student skills and give them hands-on experience.
The competition was created by NCG, a leading national college group, comprising of seven colleges including Carlisle College, to shine a light on the vital skills of industries badly hit by the pandemic. The winners from each category were put forward for the Skillbuild National Finals.
SkillBuild is the largest and longest-running multi-trade skills competition in the UK, with the national final seeing competitors meet head-to-head with the highest scoring medal winners able to progress through to Squad UK, and the potential to be selected to compete at an international level.
The skills competition includes bricklaying, carpentry, joinery, painting and decorating and plastering. Competitors are assessed not only on their technical abilities but also on their time management, enthusiasm and commitment.
Nell joins Ross Fiori in terms of recent Carlisle College Skillbuild Success. Ross who is a joinery apprentice at Langley Furniture Works and studies at Carlisle College won a silver medal and is now training for Worldskills in Shanghai in 2022.
Nell Tomlinson, Skillbuild Finalist said, “The NCG Skills Competition was such an enjoyable experience, I had not done anything like it before, but it was great to utilise all the skills I had developed throughout the two years I had spent at Carlisle College.
“Winning the NCG Skills Competition meant I was put forward for the National Skillbuild competition, but it was totally unexpected when I received an email one morning telling me I had been shortlisted. It is a really exciting opportunity and I am looking forward to taking part in the finals in November. I feel incredibly lucky to have had such a good group of peers and supportive tutors whilst at Carlisle College, and it has prepared me well for my current studies at Sheffield Hallam University where I’m studying interior architecture and design.”
Sarah McGrath, principal at Carlisle College said: “The SkillBuild competition provides a fantastic opportunity for participants to showcase their skills and grow aspirations whilst inspiring peers. Getting to this stage is a fantastic achievement in itself and we wish Nell the best of luck for the finals in November.”
The announcement of this year’s Skillbuild finalists comes shortly after Carlisle College was recognised for achieving outstanding End Point Assessment Results for the bricklaying and carpentry and joinery apprenticeship standards.
Thomas Burton, group director of apprenticeships at NOCN Group, the End Point Assessment organisation, said: “Carlisle College has proven, through its results in 20/21, to have a highly effective apprenticeship programme and preparation process for End Point Assessment. It has been pleasing to see the commitment by the college to ensure that no stone was left unturned, ensuring all apprentices were prepared for their assessments.
“Along with achieving the country’s very first distinction grades by a college in the bricklayer apprenticeship, Carlisle College has also achieved excellent grades in carpentry and joinery. The college’s approach to technical education, whilst embracing the apprenticeship reforms, is a strong example of excellence in the sector.”
