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The Future is Bright for SRC WorldSkill UK Team Members

Posted By:
Southern Regional College

27th Feb 2023

The year 2024 will see greatness descend on France.  Taking centre stage next summer is the Paris 2024 Olympics, closely followed by ‘Skills Olympics’ in September in Lyon.  With 1,500 competitors competing in 60 categories, WorldSkills is the pinnacle event in apprenticeship training and standards.  WorldSkills has often been dubbed the ‘Skills Olympics’ as competitors in employment and vocational training come together across the globe seeking gold.

Southern Regional College has been successful in the WorldSkills series having been recognised as the top performing further education college in the UK in 2022.  Determined to build on this success, the College is delighted that two current students, Anastasiya Kovtun and Wiktoria Kurkowska have been named as UK squad members representing the College and the UK at WorldSkills.

Anastasiya and Wiktoria, both from Portadown are studying the Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) Foundation Degree in Applied Industrial Science at SRC’s Newry campus.  A two year programme where students study one day a week alongside undertaking paid employment in a related industry the remaining four days.

Both Anastasiya and Wiktoria were initially encouraged to enter the WorldSkills series of competitions by the College’s Specialist Lecturer in Science, Deirdre Murray.  Having undertaken intercampus, regional and national competitions, the girls are delighted to have been named as members of the UK Squad.  The road to Lyon may be 18 months away but there is still plenty of preparation to be done in advance.

Over the next year and a half, Anastasiya and Wiktoria will attend four to five weekend bootcamps honing their skills with a UK WorldSkills chemical specialist training manager from the University of Manchester. Additionally, online learning labs to practice the different skills required will need to be completed.

To get to this stage both Anastasiya and Wiktoria have been supported by College staff and their employer Almac.  Both organisations have taken the girls through numerous training simulations and been at their sides at competitions.

A place in the Skills Olympics is not guaranteed for all members of the UK Squad.  Anastasiya and Wiktoria form two-thirds of the UK Chemical Laboratory Technician team, however only one person will go on to compete at the WorldSkills event next year.

Anastasiya and Wiktoria are focused on the end goal.  They know with perseverance and a lot of hard work they will achieve success.  Speaking on the HLA route, both girls maintain the work/study route requires a lot of dedication, but there are plenty of people in Almac and the College to lean back on for support, including those who have previously taken the course.

Highlighting a benefit of the HLA foundation degree, Anastasiya and Wiktoria recognise they are already ahead of the game, compared to university counterparts.  Both girls will complete their course with several years of industry experience added to C.V.s and no student debt, as course fees are fully funded by the Department of the Economy.

Speaking on the route so far, Anastasiya commented: “It has been an amazing journey so far and I am excited to gain more knowledge and explore available opportunities.”

 

Brian Doran, Principal & CEO of Southern Regional College commented:

“I congratulate Anastasiya and Wiktoria on their achievement in being selected for the WorldSkills UK team. Additionally, I want to recognise the commitment of our staff who put great effort into supporting and mentoring competitors through the local, regional and national competitions.  I wish both students every success on their journey towards the WorldSkills competition to be held in Lyon next year”.

 

Pictured: Team UK WorldSkills squad members alongside SRC staff.

(L-R):  Wiktoria Kurkowska, Carmel Murray, Head of Faculty Health & Science at SRC, Brian Doran, CEO and Chief Executive at SRC, Anastasiya Kovtun, Deirdre Murray Specialist Lecturer in Science at SRC