Three of them won gold medals, and another gained a silver award, which could take them all to the national final and even further.
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To top it off, they met Sky TV celebrity builder and presenter Tommy Walsh, formerly of Ground Force, who draws the crowds wherever he goes.
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The London region Skillbuild competition run by Summit Skills was held this year at Barking & Dagenham College in East London on May 11.
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Two of the CNWL gold medallists were already college trade champions chosen after internal Industry Day competitions at the College of North West London held in March.
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One of them was Painting & Decorating winner Jorgie Spicer, who completed his three tasks comfortably in the allotted time while others were struggling to finish, and whose work was described as “flawless” – even though he is only 18 and a Level 1 student.
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The other trade champion was Radoslaw Zielonka from Poland, a Carpentry student who. it is said, works quickly but likes everything to be perfect.
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A third gold medal went to Bricklaying student Daniel Howard – one of the top winners at Industry Day but not the overall trade champion.
The silver award in Carpentry went to Joseph McNamara, whose tutor John Norris described him as “unbelievably lightning fast”. Commented John: “Joseph is like a steam train – he doesn’t stop even if you give him a job lasting six hours, which is why he finished in half the time. And Radoslaw is ultra-precise. Nothing fazes him. They are both outstanding students.”
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If they are among the highest scorers nationwide, all four winners will progress to the UK Skills national final, which will be held at Coleg Menai in Wales from September 8-10. But they will not know if they are among the top scorers until all the regional competitions are complete at the end of June.
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John Norris said “Using our own internal college competition on Industry Day, we were able to select the best students and see their strengths and their potential. This prepared them for the regional competition.
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“The students who won were really dedicated and never missed a lesson. They turned up early, didn’t want to leave and were always keen to learn more. This is one of the main secrets of their success.”
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THE WINNERS:
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JORGIE SPICER, aged 18, from Willesden. Studying Level 1 Diploma in Painting & Decorating at CNWL.
DANIEL HOWARD, aged 21, from Watford. Studying Level 3 NVQ in Trowel Occupations and Level 3 Diploma in Bricklaying.
RADOSLAW ZIELONKA, aged 26, from Leyton. Studying Level 3 Diploma in Site Carpentry.
JOSEPH MCNAMARA, aged 20, from Lee. Studying Level 3 Diploma in Site Carpentry.
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PICTURE SHOWS: CNWL winners Jorgie (far left), Joseph (far right) and Radoslaw (kneeling holding prize)
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