Highlands College proudly announces the launch of the first annual pan-island skills competition, a collaborative initiative bringing together apprentices from Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man. The competition aims to showcase and celebrate the diverse talents of young individuals pursuing vocational skills in plumbing, electrical engineering, and carpentry.

Highlands College will host the inaugural event, which will take place on Friday 9 February. Next year’s competition is set to be hosted by University College Isle of Man, demonstrating the commitment to rotating the event among the participating islands.

The competition will see the participation of between 6 and 9 students from each college, competing in a series of timed challenges that will test their skills in their chosen trade. The competitors will have the opportunity to demonstrate their expertise and problem-solving abilities under the scrutiny of industry professionals who will make up the judging panel.

The event will culminate in an Awards Ceremony, where the top two performers in each category will be recognised for their achievements. The occasion promises to showcase the dedication and talent of the young individuals involved in vocational education across the three islands.

We are delighted to have the support of prominent sponsors for this event, including Romerils, Pentafix, CEF, Normans and Construction IOM. Their generous contributions highlight the importance of fostering and nurturing skills within the construction industry.

Nick Rudkin, Head of the Construction Department at Highlands College, expressed his enthusiasm for the competition, stating, “This pan-island skills competition is a fantastic opportunity for our students to showcase their abilities and learn from their peers. It is also an opportunity to demonstrate how, as a college, we are nurturing talent to meet the skills shortages on island. We are grateful for the support of our sponsors and look forward to seeing the talent and innovation that will emerge from this event.”

The organisers anticipate that the competition will become a cornerstone of the construction department’s calendar, fostering collaborative learning and friendly competition between the pan-island group.