UCOL apprenticeship students scoop medal haul

UCOL apprenticeship students scoop impressive medal haul

A team of engineering apprenticeship students from UCOL have punched above their weight and come away with an impressive medal tally from a nationwide competition.

The team of five won four medals between them at the WorldSkills NZ Nationals Finals trade competition in Petone in the weekend.

UCOL Engineering Lecturer Peter Govaerts says this is a very high success rate for a small team. “Per head, we topped every other team throughout New Zealand in medal wins.”

Gold medals were won by third year Light Fabrication student Jarrod Lamb in the Welding category and by first year Light Fabrication student Elliot Wilks in Light Fabrication. Third year Light Fabrication student Jonathan Maher won silver in Light Fabrication, and third year Maintenance and Diagnostics student Dawson Boyd won bronze in the Fitting category.

Peter says the students each completed an assigned project in front of judges within a strict time limit. “Competitors must meet a benchmark level of proficiency on their project or no medals are given out. To win a medal competitors have to show considerable merit and skill.”

Gold medal winners Jarrod Lamb and Elliot Wilks are now waiting to find out if they have qualified for the New Zealand WorldSkills team to compete in Calgary, Canada, in 2009.

“It’s always great to have our students go on to the international competition. It’s quite an accomplishment to represent New Zealand, and to have your trade take you overseas so early in your career,” Peter said.

Peter says thanks are also in order for the outstanding support of Palmerston North based Total Sheet Metals, the firm Jarrod and Elliot are both currently working at; and the local Competenz (the Engineering Industry Training Organisation) representative, Steve Brooks, who Peter says has put a lot of organisation into the competition for the guys.

UCOL Diploma in Furniture Design and Making graduate Jono Lougher was also a winner at this year’s WorldSkills NZ Nationals Finals, winning a gold medal in the Marine Cabinetry category.

ENDS

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