West Lancashire College students have been celebrating their determination after taking part in the sixth annual NCG Skills competition, held this year at Kidderminster College during National Apprenticeship Week.
NCG Skills is a unique, national competition that brings together learners from across NCG’s seven colleges, giving them the chance to develop and showcase their technical expertise in front of industry professionals.
Students from West Lancashire College travelled to Kidderminster after earning their place in regional heats, held in December. Apprentices and students competed across 11 skills areas including Business, Carpentry and Joinery, Hairdressing, Electrical Installation and Bricklaying.
Each category was shaped, judged and supported by employer partners including NOCN Group, OneAdvanced, L'Oréal, Wella and WorldSkills UK, creating real-world pressure and expectations for competitors.
Competitions like NCG Skills play a crucial role in helping students develop the technical, professional and personal skills that employers across the region and beyond are looking for.
Modelled on WorldSkills principles, the competition aims to deepen hands-on experience, build confidence, and strengthen the skills that employers are actively seeking. Past winners have gone on to compete nationally and internationally, including in Switzerland and Beijing, demonstrating the high standard of talent across NCG.
Christian Thersby, Principal said, "West Lancashire College is committed to preparing our learners with the skills, confidence and real-world experience they need to succeed in their future careers. NCG Skills provides a unique opportunity for students to challenge themselves in new environments, learn from peers across the country, and perform under real industry conditions. I’m incredibly proud of our finalists and winners – they are outstanding ambassadors for West Lancashire College and for NCG."