Haverfordwest student among those recognised as Wales celebrates rising talent

TALENTED learners from across Wales have been recognised for their skills and dedication at this year’s Skills Competition Wales awards – with Pembrokeshire among those celebrating success.

The awards ceremony, held at Rhyl Pavilion on Wednesday (Mar 18), saw 287 competitors honoured following months of regional contests. In total, 97 gold, 94 silver and 95 bronze medals were awarded, highlighting the strength of technical education across the country.

More than 1,100 learners took part in this year’s competition programme, which continues to expand in line with the needs of the Welsh economy. A total of 65 competitions were held – six more than last year – including new categories focused on sustainability, enterprise and inclusive skills development.

Participation also increased, with 1,168 learners competing overall. This included 223 learners in inclusive competitions – an 11.5% rise – alongside a 7% increase in mainstream entrants.

Among those recognised was Bethany Price, 17, from Haverfordwest (pictured), who achieved a Highly Commended award in Metal Fabrication (Lead Work).

Bethany, who studies at Pembrokeshire College, said the experience had boosted both her skills and confidence.

She said: “Taking part in skills competitions has given me so many skills I wouldn’t have gained otherwise – from the overall experience to the tips and techniques I’ve learned from my tutors.

“I’m already using those skills in my day-to-day work, and it’s helped me feel more confident when speaking to new people and working under pressure.

“Just taking part has been amazing and has given me a real edge on my CV. I’m really proud to have achieved a Highly Commended medal, especially as a full-time learner competing against apprentices.”

The competition is delivered through the Inspiring Skills Excellence in Wales project and funded by the Welsh Government. It provides a pathway for learners to progress to national and international stages, including WorldSkills UK, EuroSkills and WorldSkills International.

Paul Evans, Project Director, said the standard this year reflected growing strength across multiple sectors.

He said: “The depth of talent continues to grow year on year. From first-time competitors to those progressing to international pathways, learners across Wales are demonstrating real excellence.

“We’ve expanded the programme to include new categories and more inclusive formats, ensuring learners of all abilities have the opportunity to showcase what they can achieve.”

Welsh Government Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership, Jack Sargeant, added: “These competitions highlight the strength of Wales’ skills system and its close links with industry.

“They help learners develop not only technical ability, but also teamwork, confidence and problem-solving skills – all of which are essential for the workplace.”

Applications for WorldSkills UK 2026 close on Thursday (Mar 27), with Welsh competitors also in contention to represent the UK at the international finals in Shanghai later this year.

For more information, visit inspiringskills.gov.wales.

THE VICTIMS’ Commissioner for England and Wales has welcomed plans to expand electronic tagging of offenders but warned that technology alone will not keep victims safe.

The UK Government has announced new measures to widen the use of electronic monitoring, including mandatory tagging for all prison leavers and real-time GPS tracking for high-risk offenders such as domestic abusers and burglars.

The plans also include a pilot scheme for “proximity monitoring”, designed to alert authorities if an offender approaches a victim, alongside a shift in probation resources to focus on those posing the greatest risk to the public.

Responding to the announcement, Victims’ Commissioner Claire Waxman said the move was a “necessary step” towards strengthening a probation system that has faced years of pressure.

She said: “I welcome the Government’s investment in expanding electronic tagging and increasing the number of probation officers managing dangerous offenders. This is a necessary step in helping to rebuild a probation service that has been under immense pressure for years.”

However, she cautioned that monitoring technology must be backed by swift enforcement.

“For many victims — particularly survivors of domestic abuse and stalking — the knowledge that an offender is being monitored can provide a vital sense of reassurance,” she said.

“But technology and innovation are only as effective as the system that supports them. Tagging must be backed by swift, robust enforcement the moment a breach occurs.”

Waxman warned that without immediate action when rules are broken, victims could be left at risk.

“Without this, there is a real risk of creating a false sense of security for victims at a time of already heightened concern,” she added.

She also stressed that while prioritising high-risk offenders is practical, lower-risk individuals should not be overlooked.

“While prioritising high-risk offenders is a pragmatic necessity, it is essential that ‘lower-risk’ is never treated as ‘no-risk’,” she said.

“Ultimately, victim safety must remain the priority.”

The Commissioner said this requires not only investment in new monitoring tools, but also ensuring the Probation Service has the capacity and expertise to act quickly when warning signs emerge.

Port Talbot jobs and future of UK steel industry in focus despite government move to curb cheap imports

WELSH steelworkers could be among the biggest beneficiaries of new UK tariffs on imported steel — but unions have warned that without a long-term plan, the industry will continue to face uncertainty.

The UK Government has confirmed it will strengthen its tariff regime from June to prevent the dumping of cheap foreign steel on the domestic market, a move welcomed by trade union Unite.

However, the union says the decision highlights a wider problem — a reactive approach that has left critical industries like steel “lurching from crisis to crisis.”

The issue is particularly significant for Wales, where the steel industry remains a cornerstone of the economy, with communities such as Port Talbot heavily reliant on the sector for jobs and investment.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite welcomes the strengthening of the UK’s tariff regime to prevent the dumping of cheap foreign steel onto the domestic market from June.

“But this last minute situation is just another reminder that the reactive approach to UK steel that sees it lurch from crisis to crisis needs to be overhauled.”

She added: “Ministers must introduce a long-term strategy that secures the future of the industry, which is vital to the UK’s economy and national security, without delay.”

The Herald understands that concerns remain across the Welsh steel sector about the pace and direction of change, particularly following the transition away from traditional blast furnace steelmaking at Port Talbot.

Unions and industry figures have repeatedly warned that the shift towards electric arc furnaces, while more environmentally sustainable, could reduce the UK’s ability to produce so-called “virgin steel” — a key material for major infrastructure and defence projects.

Unite has called on the government to go further by legislating to ensure that all major UK infrastructure developments use domestically produced steel.

The proposal would have clear implications for Wales, potentially boosting demand for steel produced at Welsh sites and helping to safeguard jobs.

Unite regional secretary Peter Hughes said: “The steel strategy must be a first step in backing the UK steel industry and steelworkers.

“Steel is a foundation industry and is critical to the success of our economy. The government must also back the production of virgin green steel as we can’t simply rely on electric arc furnaces to produce all the steel we need.”

The debate comes at a crucial time for Welsh steelmaking, with significant public investment already committed to supporting the industry’s transition to greener production methods.

While ministers have framed the tariffs as a necessary step to protect domestic producers, critics argue that without a comprehensive industrial strategy, the measures risk being a short-term fix.

For communities in south Wales, the stakes remain high. Steel is not only a major employer but a defining part of the region’s identity — and decisions made in Westminster will have lasting consequences on the ground.

As global competition intensifies and energy costs remain volatile, pressure is mounting on the UK Government to move beyond emergency interventions and set out a clear, long-term vision for the future of steel — one that secures both jobs and production capacity in Wales.