Carpentry students prepare for UK final

The three-day competition, being held at Milton Keynes Arena Stadium, forms part of a UK-wide event happening across the country.

Competitors for the national finals have participated in regional competitions to secure their place. 

Ifan and Daniel will be tasked with constructing items from technical drawings which will be scrupulously-judged by a panel of industry experts.

The first day will involve marking out a structure to set out the foundation of their project and the second day task is to test their skills as they implement a complex cut roof requiring precision and expertise. 

On the last day, they will showcase their finishing skills by hanging a door, fitting skirting and architraves, bringing their project to a polished competition.

Support is also offered by the apprentices’ employers, namely Williams & Thomas Ltd for Daniel Morgan and AG Carpentry for Ifan Thomas.

Rhodri Morris, carpentry lecturer for Coleg Ceredigion, is part of a team mentoring the two students for the competition ahead. He said: “It will be a great opportunity for Daniel and Ifan to experience competing at national level against other students and apprentices from all over the UK and we wish them both well.”

Daniel and Ifan are two of 13 students from across Coleg Ceredigion and Coleg Sir Gâr who are taking part in the UK finals in a number of subject categories.

Benjamin Jenkins from Coleg Sir Gâr will also be competing in the SkillBuild National Final, which takes place from 10 to 21 November.