THREE learners from South Tyneside College have swept the board in the regional heat of the Apprentice Welding competition.
Neil Walker Graham, 24, from Newcastle, Nathan Laws, 20, from Wallsend, and Terry Skee, 20, from Byker, secured 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the competition sponsored by BOC.
The competition is open to all apprentices who are following a recognised national qualification in welding and is divided into a series of progressive welding test pieces.
The event marked a second success for Neil Walker Graham this year, who also achieved third place in a recent Student of the Year competition, announced at the 78th Annual Dinner for the Northumbria Branch of the Welding and Joining Society.
Neil is currently studying a Level 3 Certificate in Engineering at South Tyneside College while working as an Apprentice at Pearson Engineering Services.
He said: “It’s been such a great year for me. I never thought I would win two awards for my work in such a short space of time. The College and Pearson Engineering Services have been very supportive throughout my training and I would like to say thank you to them for everything they have done for me.”
Roger Anderton, managing director at Pearson Engineering Services, said: “I’m tremendously proud that the top three places in the regional heat of the BOC Welding Competition were won by PES apprentices.
“We re-launched our apprentice training scheme five years ago to ensure that the workmanship and commitment of our highly skilled tradesmen is transferred to the next generation. I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to Neil, Nathan and Terry’s success, together with those who support our other apprentices.”
Lindsey Whiterod, principal and chief executive of South Tyneside College, said: “This is fantastic news for the college. To have our own learners win all of the top prizes is testament to the quality of teaching we provide in South Tyneside and beyond.
“These awards are a fantastic way of boosting the profile of apprenticeships across the North East.
“The Government is urging businesses to offer apprenticeships to help drive economic growth by creating a sustainable skilled workforce.”
Neil and Nathan will now travel to Staffordshire in early July to compete in the national finals of the competition with Terry as a reserve.
For more information about apprenticeships and other courses available at South Tyneside College visit www.stc.ac.uk or telephone 0191 427 3900.
