Team UK - the nation’s top young apprentices and students including Forth Valley College’s very own Callum Bonner – have returned from the EuroSkills Finals in Budapest covered in precious medals and glory.
The 22 women and men, who competed against their peers from across the Europe won 1 gold, 3 bronze and 7 medallions of excellence. Clackmannanshire Council Painter and Decorator Callum (20) from Tullibody – who has just completed his four year Modern Apprenticeship at FVC’s Falkirk Campus – competed well, but just missed out on a medal.
The results, which placed the UK in ninth place of 27 countries, bolstered organisers WorldSkills UK – whose mission is to accelerate careers and achieve excellence and optimum levels of skills performance.
Dr Neil Bentley, CEO of WorldSkills UK said: “This is a fantastic result for Team UK and the country as a whole. We were gunning for a top ten position and we got it! These brilliant young people – training and preparing them to be among the very best across Europe - are the UK’s new generation of high flyers.”
Janet Brown, SQA Chief Executive, said: “Callum’s achievement at EuroSkills is fantastic and it’s brilliant to see his work judged to be world class. At SQA we recognise the important role of colleges in supporting committed learners like Callum and we congratulate all of them. The talent demonstrated at Euroskills highlights the importance of vocational qualifications. SQA vocational qualifications are designed to let individuals demonstrate that they have the required skills to excel in their field. With 2018 being the Year of Young People, it’s particularly exciting to see Callum, and the other competitors, achieving this at the highest level.”
Callum became the first ever Forth Valley College student to make Team UK for the EuroSkills in Budapest and said before the competition: “It is brilliant to have been selected. It has been some experience and all the hard work is paying off. I am very proud to be the only painter and decorator to represent the UK at the event.
“Thanks to the Training Managers at WorldSkills UK, College Lecturers at Forth Valley College, Managers at Clackmannanshire Council, my Training Officer Audrey Munro and my parents for all the support that they have given me throughout this process.”
Kevin Bonner, Painting and Decorating Lecturer in the Department of Construction at Forth Valley College, said: “We are all very proud of Callum and for him to make EuroSkills team was an excellent result. We have no doubt he will become an inspiration for others to follow.”