A teenager from Pontprennau, who left school without any GCSEs, took home a gold award at Skills Competition Wales along with a brand-new job offer from Welsh skills and training provider, Itec Skills.
The 2023 Skills Competition Wales saw over 1000 young people compete across five different sectors: Construction & Infrastructure, Engineering & Technology, Health, Hospitality & Lifestyle, IT & Enterprise and Media & Creative. 101 gold medals were awarded in total this year.
At the virtual award ceremony Katie Pearce, aged 19, who studied Customer Service Level 1 with Itec, won the top award for Inclusive Skills: Customer Service, which involved demonstrating key skills and attributes required in customer service, and how to provide customers with a good experience.
Katie completed three activities to win the award. She produced a written email response to questions raised by customers, produced a written response to two questions relating to the fundamentals of customer service and dealt with two different role play situations.
As part of the celebration, Itec Skills Centre in Cardiff held an in-person event for Katie and her family to attend and celebrate the award win together.
After the award ceremony, much to Katie’s surprise, Itec offered her a permanent position as a Customer Service Advisor with them following a successful interview earlier in the week.
Speaking at the event, Katie said: “I am so proud of myself for winning the gold award. I enjoyed being part of the Skills Competition Wales and particularly enjoyed the role play elements of the competition which gave me a chance to demonstrate the skills I have learnt since joining Itec.”
Katie started her Itec journey in September 2020 on the Jobs Growth Wales + Engagement programme where she completed two qualifications. Katie then secured placement with the British Heart Foundation where she developed professionalism, patience, and a “people-first” attitude, sparking her passion for customer service.
As Katie’s confidence grew, with a further placement at Harry Harper Sales and Letting, she gained additional qualifications including a Level 1 Introductory Award in Customer Service and a Level 1 Award in Communication Skills.
Adele Hughes, Operations Manager at Itec said: “We are thrilled for Katie, her hard work and dedication has truly paid off. Her professionalism and skill in dealing with customers has won her the top award at Skills Competition Wales, and she is a great role model to other learners who are undertaking similar qualifications. A huge congratulations to Katie, and her family.”
Delivered by Itec, Jobs Growth Wales+ is a training and development programme from the Welsh Government for 16–19-year-olds helping them acquire the skills, qualifications, and experience to get a job or get into further training. Understanding that no one person is the same, the programme is entirely unique and tailored to suit the needs of the individual learner.
Itec delivers Job Growth Wales+ at its centres in Cardiff, Newport, Torfaen, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, The Vale of Glamorgan, Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend and Neath.
