Top Spot: Crawley College Students Show Their ‘Metal’ at Regional Welding Competition 

It was a hat-trick of awards as Welding students from Crawley College put their torching talents to the test during the regional SkillWeld Welding Competition. 

Held at the college and run by WorldSkills UK, the competition saw students take on peers from the College of North West London as they took part in a day designed to raise industry standards while developing the next generation of job-ready welders.  

Crawley College student Finlay  Leonard- Page claimed first place overall, with Ben Barker and Tom Clarke finishing second and third.  A number of additional awards were presented in recognition of technical skill and merit.   

Throughout the day, ten 10  regional finalists tackled a series of demanding practical challenges, including specialist pipe and aluminium welding, testing their precision, technical ability and problem-solving skills under competition conditions.  

For many students, the competition formed their first experience of competing against learners from other colleges, while others returned to build on experience gained in previous competitions.   

The event also welcomed a variety of employers and industry representatives, as they highlighted the growing career opportunities available across the welding industry.   

Evie Forrest, one of the students who took part in the competition, explained how the competition had given her a real focus for developing her skills. She said:  

“It helps improve your skills because you’ve got something to work towards. The tutors are welcoming and friendly, and they really take the time to get to know you, which helps you develop.  

“You don’t need lots of welding experience before you start, just be prepared to learn and enjoy it.”   

Mark Lewis also highlighted the technical challenge of the competition, particularly pipe welding, saying:  

“Pipe welding is particularly demanding and recognised across the industry. Competitions like SkillWeld encourage students to reach an industry-recognised standard while learning from both their peers and experienced professionals.”   

To find out more about the Engineering and Welding courses available at the college, please click here.