Talented learners from across Wales are celebrating outstanding success at this year’s Skills Competition Wales awards, with hundreds recognised for their technical excellence, commitment and future‑focused skills.
Held at Rhyl Pavilion on Wednesday 18th March, the ceremony awarded 287 competitors with 97 gold, 94 silver and 95 bronze medals, following months of regional competitions held across the country.
This year’s programme continued to evolve to reflect the changing needs of the Welsh economy, with 65 competitions delivered – six more than last year – including new categories aligned to sustainability, enterprise and inclusive skills development.
Participation also continued to grow across Wales, with 1,168 learners taking part overall. This included 223 learners competing in inclusive competitions (an 11.5% increase on the previous year), alongside a 7% rise in mainstream competitors.
Among those recognised was Kelis Pipe, 18, from Caerphilly, who secured a Silver medal in the Enterprise competition.
Kelis, who is profoundly deaf and lip reads, impressed judges with her professionalism, communication skills and ambition to grow her business. Her success highlights the role Skills Competition Wales plays in supporting learners to realise their potential, regardless of background or circumstance.
Kelis said: “Taking part in Skills Competition Wales pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me benchmark my progress, so I could understand where I’m at with developing my business idea and how it needs to adapt to what customers want.
“I felt really proud of the way I organised and presented my trade stand to the judges and students at Newport University, and it was a real test of whether I could keep pace in a competitive environment. My favourite part was speaking to people, offering dessert samples and sharing the story and vision behind my home‑based bakery, Kelis Kreations. The competition has helped build my confidence and has supported me to develop my idea to the point where I’m ready to fully launch next month.”
Sam James, Deputy Head of School Business and Finance at Coleg Y Cymoedd, added: “From the moment Kelis joined us, she’s brought an energy and curiosity that’s been a joy to teach. Watching Kelis put her ideas into practice, share her business with others and grow in confidence through the Enterprise competition has been genuinely inspiring. She’s worked incredibly hard for this, and we’re all very proud of her.”
Skills Competition Wales continues to raise the bar on accessibility and inclusion, with competition design increasingly supporting learners with a wide range of needs.
Last year’s WorldSkills UK competitions – widely recognised as the progression route from Skills Competition Wales – highlighted the importance of inclusive competition design. One in four competitors identified as having an Additional Learning Need (ALN), with 117 learners competing successfully in mainstream competitions, demonstrating how inclusive approaches help unlock Wales’ full talent pool.
Delivered by the Inspiring Skills Excellence in Wales project and funded by the Welsh Government, Skills Competition Wales supports learners to progress to national and international platforms, including WorldSkills UK, EuroSkills and WorldSkills International.
Jack Sargeant, Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership, said: “Skills competitions showcase the depth and breadth of talent emerging from learners across Wales, while highlighting the strength of our skills system and how closely it is aligned with employer and industry demand.
“By developing high‑level technical skills alongside teamwork, confidence and problem‑solving, these competitions help learners turn training into real workplace capability and support a strong pipeline of talent for businesses across Wales.
“I congratulate all competitors on their achievements and thank the colleges, training providers, employers and the wider learning network whose commitment continues to make this success possible.”
Applications for WorldSkills UK 2026 close on 27th March 2026, with Welsh learners also in contention to represent the UK at the 48th International WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai this September.
