We’re proud to showcase the journey of Joseph Roberts, one of our Modern Apprentices, whose skills and determination recently led him to compete in the prestigious WorldSkills Finals.
Joseph - now in his third year as a Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair apprentice in conjunction with Fife Council - competed, for the first time, in the Heavy Vehicle Technology WorldSkills competition this year.
The road to the final was challenging, with Joseph's journey beginning with a first-round assessment in April 2023. It was here where he emerged as one of the top 18 competitors in the UK! This brilliant achievement led him to the regional finals held at the MAN Truck & Bus facility in Swindon in May. There, Joseph's skills came through once again, securing him a place in the top 6 and a place in the WorldSkills Final.
Showing admirable dedication to his craft, Joseph took on additional training - both at work and at college - to keep himself sharp for the final. The WorldSkills Final, spanning three days from 30th October to 1st November, was a testament to Joseph's hard work and expertise. He tackled six complex tasks encompassing diagnostic and fault-finding assessments in engine, transmission, electrical, suspension, and braking systems.
Though Joseph didn’t secure a top 3 position on this occasion, he’s been able to reflect very positively on his journey:
"I found the experience very rewarding. My time at Fife College and employment with Fife Council has been instrumental in preparing me for both my apprenticeship and the competition. I’m proud of how far I've come and eagerly anticipate competing again next year."
Joseph's achievement continues a tradition of excellence in the Automotive Department at Fife College. Over the past six years, 68 apprentices have registered for the WorldSkills competition, with 16 reaching the National Qualifiers, and 7 competing in the National Finals. This has yielded one bronze and two gold medal wins.
We’d like to, again, extend our congratulations to Joseph for his outstanding performance and to Fife Council for providing exceptional apprenticeship opportunities, and we eagerly await Joseph's participation in next year's competition, set to open in March 2024!
