Bury College brings Gold medals home to Bury

Date published: 09 July 2011

Bury College students brought back three medals from the national finals of the World Skills competition, which took place at Cambridge Regional College on 25th June 2011. The World Skills UK competition is the largest vocational skills event in the world, where young people from 51 countries compete for ultimate prizes of Gold, Silver and Bronze medals.

Aimee Haslam and Emma Knowles are studying Level 3 Complementary Therapies Techniques at Bury College. Both students excelled in the competition winning Gold in their respective categories – Aimee in Aromatherapy and Emma in Reflexology. Level 2 Nail Services Apprentice Andrea Bourn completed the trio of medals, winning Bronze in Intermediate Nail Technology.

Emma said: “The competition has definitely boosted my confidence. The level of all the competitors was really high, which has made me want to continue and learn more new skills. The award is a great achievement to take to my new position with Steiner Cruises.”

Bury College was well represented in the competition with seven students competing in the national finals in Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Complementary Therapies Techniques and Nail Technology. Each student was chosen to represent their category after successfully winning the regional heats.

Jacqui Taylor, Curriculum Director of Catering, Hairdressing, Beauty and Complementary Therapies at Bury College, said: “It is a fantastic achievement to have such a strong representation from Bury College at the World Skills national finals. Our students have worked hard all year to maintain a high standard of work, which has been demonstrated in our success in the competition.

"For the past two years, Bury College has won Gold in the national heats for Aromatherapy, which is a testimony to the students and staff and their commitment. However, to bring home two Gold medals and a Bronze back to Bury is outstanding.”

Last year’s Aromatherapy Gold medal winner from Bury College, Sian Ali is working towards representing the UK at the World Skills finals in Germany in 2013. This is a great achievement as Sian will have the opportunity to showcase her skills against the best in the world.