Five Babcock Fabrication and Welding Modern Apprentices currently studying at Forth Valley College, took part in a World Skills Metal Fabricator competition heat held at the College’s Falkirk Campus recently.
Katy Capewell, Connor Leslie, Noah Chalmers, Rory MacKay and Darien Bottomley all took on the challenge of the day on Wednesday 3 June at the FVC Fabrication and Welding workshop to measure, cut and weld metal plates into a water mill design.
Mhairi Hay FVC’s Director of Curriculum for the Department of STEM and Construction joined Paul Bryant, from the World Skills Metal Fabricator Competition organisers, Paddy Oakes, Industry Manager, Engineering and Manufacturing at EAL, Ben Chapman from MIGAnglia and FVC STEM and Construction Lecturer Rab McGuinness, for the results announcement at the end of the day.
In first place was Connor Leslie, second was Katy Capewell and third was Darien Bottomley, and they were presented with various prizes by Ben Chapman from sponsors MIGAnglia. The winner now has a chance to progress to the finals later in the year.
Mhairi, Hay, Director of Curriculum for FVC’s Department of STEM and Construction, said: “We were delighted to host the World Skills Metal Fabricator competition heat at our state-of-the-art Fabrication and Welding workshop based at our Falkirk Campus.
“It was great to see five of our Babcock Modern Apprentices put what they have learned into a competition environment and I am sure the experience will benefit them all in the future. Congratulations to the three prize winners on the day and we now wait to hear if they will progress deeper into the UK wide competition.”
Entrants from Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales need to be enrolled on the equivalent courses in their appropriate devolved nations and the competition is designed for entrants who have started their first year at level 3 in their chosen qualification or apprenticeship, at a Further Education College or an independent training provider, or an apprentice employed in the Metal Fabrication industry. However competent entrants, who are in their second year at level 2, are encouraged to enter, for the value-added experience.
The Metal Fabricator competition is organized and run by Engineering Skills Competition CIC who as a Worldskills UK Competition Organizing Partner (COP). ESC has developed the competition at all stages to align with the Knowledge Skills and Behaviour requirements of the Metal Fabricator Apprenticeship Standard, the test projects at the Regional Qualifying round and National Final are aligned to the End Point Assessment tasks required by the standard.
The competition is now sponsored by EAL, Air Products and Bohler, it has also been recognized by City and Guilds, EAL and Skills Education Group as an important part of the apprentices training program. The competition is also supported by welding equipment suppliers, Rambaldini Welding and Peferd for abrasive wheels.
Paul Bryant, from the World Skills Engineering Skills Competition, said: “It was a pleasure to hold our first heat of the 2026 Metal Fabricator Competition at Forth Valley College, your workshop facilities are one of best I have been to and the staff, in particular Lecturer Rab McGuinness, were very helpful and accommodating. Looking forward to returning in 2027.”
Paddy Oakes, Industry Manager, Engineering and Manufacturing at EAL, said: “It was a pleasure and a privilege to sponsor and judge the first of the regional WorldSkills Metal Fabricator 2026 finals at Forth Valley College Falkirk Campus. The facilities are absolutely top drawer and are key in training the new talent much needed in Fabricator/Welders in Scotland, with the campus already working in partnership with Babcock for around 200 apprentices.
“The competition showcased real talent, challenge, resilience, work ethic and good humour. Congratulations to all competitors and thank you to our EEIN Chair, Will Bridgman of Warren services for material supply, Ben Chapman of Miganglia for prizes and to Paul Bryant from World Skills in organising the event. EAL are proud sponsors of the competition.”
Ben Chapman from MIGAnglia, said: “This is the first WorldSkills event that I have attended and so it's all new to me. Forth Valley College’s, Falkirk Campus is a fantastic site with great facilities and staff. When I arrived, the competition was well underway and the students were all very focused. Talking to Rab, one of the tutors, it was clear the centre not only has the look and feel of a fab shop - but it's also run like one too.
“One of the most impressive things of the day for me - which might sound a little odd - but it's the way I'm wired up - was when Paul called time on the competition. The work pieces were presented on the bench, then the brooms came out and work areas were tidied ready for the next day. The students are a credit to themselves and the staff and I'm sure have great careers ahead of them."
For more information visit: https://www.worldskillsuk.org/competitions/construction-metalwork/
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