Young welders from College across Northern Ireland took part in the regional final, which is a qualifying event for the Worldskills national finals and a step closer to a potentially lucrative career as an industrial welder.
Scott Walker, Engineering lecturer at the College and event organiser explained how competitors had to work against the clock to complete four separate weld tests using a mix of different materials, including low carbon steel, aluminium and stainless steel.
“Each test was set up in a specific position to test the competitors’ welding ability and their work was judged by professional weld inspectors.
“Regional competitions have been held across the UK since April and when these are completed, the top ten competitors from all over the UK will be invited to compete in the SkillWeld National Final at The Skills Show, NEC Birmingham in November 2019.”
Scott is no stranger to the SkillWeld competition and knows from his own personal experience how beneficial the competition can be.
Scott, who is now a lecturer at the College's Newtownabbey campus, won the Regional final in 2015 when he was a technician at the College. At the time, he had to balance his work with completing Foundation Degree in Manufacturing Engineering at the Ballymena campus.
Congratulating Tadas on his success, Scott said: “I really enjoyed taking part in SkillWeld as it gave me the chance to demonstrate my skills to some of the UK’s top welding experts. Coming first in the regional finals is a great thing for Tadas to have on his CV.”
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