As we mark UN World Youth Skills Day on 15 July, ColegauCymru is delighted to celebrate the role of our Further Education colleges in developing the vital skills that underpin a strong and prosperous Welsh economy. FE institutions across Wales are at the heart of equipping young people and adult learners with the tools they need to succeed.
This year’s theme, Youth empowerment through AI and digital skills is especially relevant as we look to the future of learning and work. Across Wales, colleges are embracing the digital transformation - providing learners not only with the technical expertise needed for today’s job market but also the digital literacy and critical thinking skills essential for tomorrow’s challenges. From coding and cybersecurity to digital media and artificial intelligence, learners are being empowered to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
We are especially proud that Wales will host the UK National Finals of WorldSkills UK for the first time in November. This is a fantastic opportunity to shine a spotlight on Welsh learners and institutions on a national stage, and to demonstrate the ambition, talent and innovation being fostered every day in colleges across the country.
Skills competitions like WorldSkills UK provide learners with invaluable experiences that extend far beyond the competition floor. From building confidence and resilience to sharpening technical expertise and raising aspirations, learners benefit hugely from taking part - and many go on to become role models and leaders in their industries.
Many of this year’s finalists are excelling in areas aligned with the 2025 UN theme. Competitions such as 3D Digital Game Art, Digital Media Production, IT Support Technician, Industrial Robotics, and Network Infrastructure Technician are prime examples of how learners in Wales are gaining the digital and AI-related skills for today and for the future. These achievements are a testament to the forward-thinking curriculum and industry partnerships being championed across the FE sector in Wales
This Autumn competitions will take place at venues across South Wales, including Bridgend College, Cardiff and Vale College and Coleg Gwent. We are delighted on World Skills Day, FE learners from across Wales have made it through to this year’s UK National Finals, including on AI and digital skills:
3D Digital Game Art
-
Felix Lynch Coleg Gwent
Accounting Technician
- Nicola Smith Cardiff and Vale College
- Alison Ling Cardiff and Vale College
- Robat Jones Grŵp Llandrillo Menai
- Lowri Hughes Grŵp Llandrillo Menai
- Gareth Lloyd Coleg Sir Gâr / Coleg Ceredigion
- Brandon Ayres Coleg Sir Gâr / Coleg Ceredigion
Additive Manufacturing
- Connie Whitfield Grŵp Llandrillo Menai
- Oliver Weldon Grŵp Llandrillo Menai
Aircraft Maintenance
-
Patrick Dunne Coleg Cambria
Digital Media Production
- Morgan Richards-Jones Coleg y Cymoedd
- Zachary Idzi Coleg y Cymoedd
- Ffion Traylor Coleg y Cymoedd
- Guy Geurtjens Grŵp Llandrillo Menai
- Cai Owen Grŵp Llandrillo Menai
- Aron Hughes Grŵp Llandrillo Menai
- Matthew Owen Grŵp Llandrillo Menai
- Adeesha Wickramaratne Coleg y Cymoedd
Foundation Skills: Creative Media
- Rowan Love Coleg y Cymoedd
- Ella Evans Coleg y Cymoedd
- Jack Bowler Coleg y Cymoedd
- Denver Picton Pembrokeshire College
- Phoebe Stannett Pembrokeshire College
- Dylan Raymond Pembrokeshire College
Foundation Skills: Digital
-
Jesse Owen Bridgend College
Foundation Skills: Enterprise
- Sophie Davies-Jones Bridgend College
- Bethany Johns Bridgend College
- Kieran Bright Bridgend College
- Evan Vince NPTC Group of Colleges
- Tyler Jones NPTC Group of Colleges
- Kian Saunders NPTC Group of Colleges
Graphic Design
-
Lacey Deschoolmeester Pembrokeshire College
Industrial Electronics
- Bradley Claringbold Gower College Swansea
- Hamza Imansouren Gower College Swansea
- Iwan Nicklin Grŵp Llandrillo Menai
- Kai Pagett Gower College Swansea
Industrial Robotics
- Dylan Jones Bridgend College
- Joe Ashton Bridgend College
- Ossian Thomas Bridgend College
- Liam Warren Bridgend College
- Luke Bodenham Bridgend College
- Luke Evans Bridgend College
IT Support Technician
- Daniel Pitman Cardiff and Vale College
- Roman Hrymalskyi Bridgend College
- Anton Alayev Bridgend College
Laboratory Technician
- Ashley Coles NPTC Group of Colleges
- Joseph Battle NPTC Group of Colleges
Network Infrastructure Technician
-
Daniel James Cardiff and Vale College
Renewable Energy
- Daniel Bonnell Coleg Sir Gâr / Coleg Ceredigion
- Zack Arnold Grŵp Llandrillo Menai
- Mckenzie Goodwin-Cotterill Grŵp Llandrillo Menai
We look forward to cheering all Wales’ finalists on in November and celebrating the achievements of all learners and educators who continue to drive forward skills excellence in Wales. You can view a full list of finalists here.
Further Information
United Nations World Youth Skills Day - 15 July 2025
2025 Theme: Youth empowerment through AI and digital
This year’s theme focuses on Youth empowerment through AI and digital skills.
As the Fourth Industrial Revolution reshapes economies through Artificial Intelligence (AI), Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) must evolve to equip youth with future-ready skills. AI is transforming how we live, learn and work - but it also poses serious risks if not implemented equitably.
On World Youth Skills Day, let us come together to recognize the power of young people as drivers of change - and commit to equipping them with AI and digital skills to tackle today’s challenges and shape a more peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable future.
Worls Skills UK
WorldSkills UK is a four nations partnership between education, industry and UK governments. We are working to help the UK become a ‘skills economy’, boosting the prestige of technical and professional education by embedding world-class training standards across the UK to help drive investment, jobs and economic growth.
