Coleg Llandrillo, Coleg Menai, Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor and Busnes@LlandrilloMenai logosColeg Llandrillo, Coleg Menai, Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor and Busnes@LlandrilloMenai logos

Osian Roberts and Yuliia Batrak win gold at WorldSkillsUK National Finals

There were also bronze medals for Eva Voma and Adam Hopley as Grŵp Llandrillo Menai finished fourth overall against colleges from across the UK

Grŵp Llandrillo Menai students Yuliia Batrak and Osian Roberts won gold medals at the WorldSkillsUK National Finals.

There was also success for Eva Voma and Adam Hopley, who both took bronze in their competitions as Grŵp Llandrillo Menai finished fourth overall against tough competition from across the UK.

The medallists will now have a chance of being selected to represent the UK in either the 47th WorldSkills Competition in Lyon, France from September 10-15 next year, or the following edition in Shanghai, China in 2026.

Yuliia, from Colwyn Bay, who is studying Level 2 Professional Cookery at Coleg Llandrillo, won gold in the Restaurant Service competition in Manchester after qualifying as one of five finalists from across the country.

Osian Roberts, from Caernarfon, won the CNC turning competition. Osian is studying for a Higher National Certificate in General Engineering at Coleg Menai as part of his apprenticeship with manufacturing firm IAQ.

Adam finished third in Industrial Electronics, with Eva finishing in the same position in Additive Manufacturing.

Eva, from Bangor, has recently started work as an engineering lecturer at Coleg Menai, having recently graduated with a 1st class degree in Applied Mechanical Systems, awarded by Bangor University.

She previously completed a Level 3 Diploma and Higher National Certificate in Engineering at Coleg Menai, before completing her degree apprenticeship while working for International Safety Components in Llandygai.

Adam, from Aberdyfi, attends Coleg Menai as part of his engineering degree apprenticeship with Nimbus Foods.

Another Grŵp Llandrillo Menai student to impress in Manchester was Holly Whitehouse, who was ‘Highly Commended’ in the hairdressing final. Holly, from Abergele, studied a Level 3 Diploma in Hairdressing at Coleg Llandrillo last year.

The winners of the WorldSkillsUK National Finals were recognised in a ceremony at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall on Friday night.

This came after two days of intense competition at venues in and around Manchester, which followed six months of local and regional qualifiers.

Students and apprentices competed in disciplines ranging from engineering, digital and manufacturing through to creative, business and health and hospitality.

Grŵp Llandrillo Menai finished fourth overall behind New College Lanarkshire, Southern Regional College and City of Glasgow College.

For more information including a full list of winners, visit www.worldskillsuk.org