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Education

Coleg Sir Gar students triumph at World Skills

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Flying the flag: Elizabeth Forkuoh

TEAM UK retained its top-10 position at WorldSkills this year, after competitors won one gold, three silvers, three bronzes, and 13 medallions of excellence in Abu Dhabi.

And for the Welsh contingent, there was well-deserved success with chef-de-rang Elizabeth Forkuoh from Carmarthenshire representing Coleg Sir Gâr, who won a medal of excellence for her world-class skills in restaurant services at WorldSkills, Abu Dhabi.

Around 10,000 competitors, skills experts, officials and supporters from 60 countries and regions around the world looked on as the 44th WorldSkills competition – the first to take place in the Middle East – was opened.

UWTSD’s Gareth Evans, who is the centre co-ordinator at Construction Wales Innovation Centre, was the appointed WorldSkills UK expert for carpentry at the prestigious competition. This highly coveted role enabled Gareth join the WorldSkills UK training team for WorldSkills, the world’s largest international skills competition. Gareth undertook this appointment alongside his role at the Construction Wales Innovation Centre, which is funded by the CITB and is part of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.

Gareth had responsibility for training Cameron Nutt, an apprentice from Northern Ireland who represented the UK in carpentry at WorldSkills. During the event, Gareth was also an international judge for the carpentry competition, which saw over 20 apprentices compete from many countries including Australia, South Korea and Germany.

To qualify for this position, Gareth, who himself won many national and international accolades as a competitor, had to demonstrate his knowledge and experience of teaching standards in construction both in the UK and internationally.

Backing Team UK and the Welsh contingency was Coleg Sir Gâr and Coleg Ceredigion principal Barry Liles who in his role as Skills Champion for Wales and in partnership with the Welsh Government-funded Inspiring Skills Excellence project, ensured the Welsh contingency was supported throughout their competition journey.

Barry Liles said: “WorldSkills is an extravaganza of an event which replicates the Olympic Games, showcasing the very best of skills from young people around the world who have been through a rigorous competition journey.

“For me, being part of WorldSkills is crucial in not only raising aspirations of our young people but raising their skills levels, for Wales to take a competitive stand in a global economy.

“I was thrilled to see Elizabeth win a medal of excellence as she’s trained phenomenally hard, as have all our competitors.

“Witnessing Team UK, the Welsh squad and Coleg Sir Gâr competitors on the world stage will always be a very proud moment for me.”

Gareth Evans said: “Attending the WorldSkills competition in Abu Dhabi is an excellent experience for any individual. To watch over 1300 competitors from 59 member countries in action during the week was incredible. The commitment and dedication displayed by the competitors in all 51 Skills was amazing. WorldSkills Competitions allow these young people to showcase how skills initially honed through Further and Higher Education courses make such an impact to their lives. Two years ago, my competitor Cameron Nutt from North West Regional College in Northern Ireland completed his Level 3 Diploma in Site Carpentry. Who would have thought that sometime later he would be competing on the world stage, mixing it against 22 other competitors?”

Elizabeth Forkuoh, a hospitality, supervision and leadership student at Coleg Sir Gâr and former pupil of Coedcae Comprehensive School, represented the college within Team UK at the largest international skills Olympics.

The journey towards Team UK selection has been a life-changing experience for Elizabeth and also for Alfie Hopkin who represented the college competing in the web design competition.

Elizabeth steadily rose through the competition ranks whilst at college and made such significant headway in UKSkills competitions, she received employment offers from some of the top restaurants in the country. As a result, she now works for Gleneagles in Scotland, one of the best restaurants in the UK for customer care and food service. She also underwent professional training at The Ritz, completed a wine appreciation course in London and attended a training event in Taiwan. She also won a British Education award when she was at college and working part-time at the Stradey Park Hotel.

Alfie Hopkin, a former Ysgol Glan y Mor student, is studying a computing and IT level three diploma at Coleg Sir Gâr. Throughout his competition journey, Alfie received significant training from the college and UKSkills to prepare him for the Abu Dhabi event including design training at James Good, JavaScript and Clientside training in Norway and pressure testing in Brazil.

Elizabeth and Alfie were two out of four competitors representing Wales within Team UK.

Elizabeth said: “It’s been hard work over the last few years but with the support of my employer and trainer, I have given my best and I definitely know that fine dining is where I belong.”

Speaking about the UK team, Gareth added: “By competing at the event, the UK team showcased the great level of excellence and technical knowledge displayed by young people in the UK. Furthermore, it also showcases the excellent level of training provided by UK’s Education Establishments. We at the Construction Wales Innovation Centre and The University of Wales Trinity Saint David are proud to have played a part in the World-Class training required by Team UK competitors in the run-up to WorldSkills Abu Dhabi. We are also looking forward to support the Team further in the run up to WorldSkills Kazan 2019.”

He added: “Having been a competitor myself in Team UK, and winning Gold in Carpentry at two National Competitions. I know how the preparation and the experience of competing enables apprentices to gain the high level employability skills that will drive the construction industry forward. I’m so pleased to have supported these young people to achieve their goals and strive for excellence. ”

Emphasising the importance of promoting skills excellence at all levels Gerald Naylor, the Director of the Construction Wales Innovation Centre said the Centre will continue to support Gareth in his competition work. Gerald is also keen to see the Coleg Sir Gar development of the new construction technical & professional skills competition supported by UWTSD, the Construction industry Training Board and the Chartered Institution of Building.

Education

Excluding pupils for knives ‘too simple’, says Estyn chief

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A SCHOOL should understand why a pupil brings a knife in rather than relying on blanket exclusions, the chief inspector of Welsh education watchdog Estyn has said.

Owen Evans said the “easy answer” was to exclude pupils, but insisted the issue needed a more nuanced approach.

He argued there were multiple reasons why a child might bring a weapon to school and that a one-size-fits-all policy would not work.

However, Neil Butler, national officer for Wales at the NASUWT union, called the suggestion “most unhelpful” and said immediate exclusions should be the priority to protect pupils and staff.

School attack in Ammanford

Mr Evans’ comments follow the conviction of a 14-year-old girl for the attempted murder of three people during a stabbing at a school in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire.

Estyn chief inspector Owen Evans (Image: BBC)

“You may have a child that has every potential for redemption but they have fallen into bad practice, and we cannot exclude those people from society,” he told the BBC’s Walescast.

“A lot of children who bring knives to school feel threatened themselves or believe others are carrying weapons.

“We need to tackle the root causes behind these decisions,” he added.

While knife crime in Welsh schools is rare, Mr Evans said lessons needed to be learned.

Bridgend council has announced an inquiry after police were called to Bryntirion Comprehensive last week when a knife was reportedly found in a pupil’s bag.

Union backs tough action

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales, Mr Butler acknowledged the importance of understanding why children bring weapons to school but said the approach could not be “nuanced”.

He described Mr Evans’ concerns about exclusion pushing pupils out of society as “nonsense” and insisted that removing offenders from schools was necessary for safety.

“If a child who has carried a knife into school remains there while psychologists assess them, they continue to pose a danger to others,” he said.

“Exclusion doesn’t mean the end of education—it means education in a more suitable setting outside of mainstream schools.”

He added: “We must be clear: carrying a knife has consequences. That means immediate exclusion.

“It’s as simple as that—we have to nip this in the bud before it escalates further.”

Rising behavioural issues

Estyn is preparing to release its annual report on the state of education and training in Wales, with concerns over increasing behavioural problems.

Mr Evans said: “Since the pandemic, we are seeing young children coming into school unable to communicate or even potty trained.”

He called for more support for pupils and teachers but acknowledged a lack of resources.

“Strong leadership, clear and consistently applied behaviour policies, and good family support can make a real difference,” he said.

Wales’ Education Secretary, Lynne Neagle, has announced a behavioural summit next year to tackle the “complex” issues facing schools.

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Education

Exciting apprenticeship opportunities at Port of Milford Haven

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FOR those looking to kickstart a career in Pembrokeshire, apprenticeships at the Port of Milford Haven offer an exciting and practical route into the workforce.

As the UK’s leading energy port and a key economic hub, the Port plays a vital role in connecting southwest Wales to global trade routes. Through its apprenticeship programmes, it is providing valuable opportunities for young people and career changers to gain hands-on experience while earning industry-recognised qualifications.

Building careers through apprenticeships

Apprenticeships at the Port span a range of departments, allowing individuals to gain skills in areas such as IT, engineering, and port operations. These roles provide a practical learning experience, equipping apprentices with the expertise needed to thrive in their chosen careers.

One such success story is Craig Davies, who joined the Port’s IT department as an apprentice in 2021 after completing a Level 3 IT Practitioner course at Pembrokeshire College.

“Starting the apprenticeship was a big step, but an exciting one,” Craig recalled. “It gave me real-world responsibility while still allowing me to learn on the job. The experience of earning and learning at the same time was invaluable.”

Hands-on experience and career progression

During his two-year apprenticeship, Craig gained extensive experience working in the Port’s Digital Solutions and Delivery department. He attended training courses, networked with professionals, and even had the opportunity to travel for work-related learning.

“Being in a real working environment helped me build connections and develop my skills far beyond what I could learn in a classroom,” he said. “One of the best parts was the variety—one day I’d be in the office, and the next I’d be working at the Pembroke Dock Ferry Terminal or out on a jetty.”

Beyond professional development, Craig also valued the social aspects of his apprenticeship. “The Port really invests in team building, which made the experience even better. We even did an escape room once—it was a great way to get to know people.”

A bright future in Pembrokeshire

After completing his apprenticeship in 2023, Craig was offered a full-time position as a Junior Systems Administrator at the Port.

“If you’re someone who learns best by doing, rather than sitting in a classroom, an apprenticeship is definitely the way to go,” he said. “It prepares you for real work in a way that studying alone never could.”

As for his future, Craig is happy to be building his career in Pembrokeshire. “I never wanted to move away for university, so finding a great career opportunity here was perfect. Pembrokeshire is a fantastic place to live and work—I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

For those interested in exploring apprenticeship opportunities at the Port of Milford Haven, more information can be obtained by contacting [email protected].

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Education

Growing demand for mental health support among Pembrokeshire pupils

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NEW figures have revealed the number of Pembrokeshire schoolchildren referred to mental health services over the past three years.

Pembrokeshire County Council data has confirmed that 43 primary school pupils received support from school-based counsellors between 2021 and 2024. The number of referrals varied each year, with 17 recorded in 2021/22, rising to 18 in 2022/23 before dropping to 8 in 2023/24.

Meanwhile, demand for mental health support among secondary school students was significantly higher, with 2,167 pupils receiving counselling over the same period. The number of secondary school referrals peaked at 740 in 2022/23 before decreasing slightly to 704 in the most recent academic year.

School counsellors also made more than 100 referrals to external services such as CAMHS, the Disordered Eating Service, MIND, Sandy Bear, and the ASD Service.

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council acknowledged the growing concern over children’s mental health, citing factors such as family financial pressures, social media use, and the long-term impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on education and social development.

“Children’s emotional and mental well-being is a national and international issue, and Pembrokeshire is no exception,” the spokesperson said. “School counselling is a statutory function funded by the Welsh Government, and we also work with the Health Board to provide additional emotional health support.”

The council has allocated nearly £200,000 to school-based mental health services over the past three years, with spending rising from £43,670 in 2021/22 to £81,209 in 2022/23, before reducing to £74,802 in 2023/24.

Pembrokeshire’s ten secondary schools, including specialist provision centres, each have a dedicated counsellor, while primary school pupils in Years 5 and 6 can access support from three travelling counsellors who work across different schools.

As part of its efforts to address mental health challenges, the council has also introduced a mobile phone ban in all secondary schools, aiming to reduce social media pressures on students.

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