Former apprentice prepares for prestigious WorldSkills competition

We’re wishing our former Sheet Metalwork apprentice Sam Smith the best of luck as he prepares to represent the Grimsby Institute at WorldSkills UK.

Sam, who moved on to full time employment at 4Matic Design and Manufacture Ltd after finishing his apprenticeship in June, has been selected to compete at the prestigious competition at the NEC in Birmingham.

He’ll be joined by fellow Institute finalists Alysia Goodwin (fitness training) and Thomas Thompson (refrigeration and air conditioning) at the contest, taking place between November 15 and 17.

Sam, who will be tasked with making a pizza oven, has reached the final for the second consecutive year, however hopes to go one step further this time around.

“I’m feeling a bit more relaxed than I did last year, now I know what to expect,” he said. “Now I’ve seen the drawings, I think hopefully I’ll be able to get it done in the time.

“Unfortunately I didn’t do as well as I hoped last year, but that experience will help me now without a doubt.

“I will be able to manage my time a lot better; the stress of the situation just seemed to take over last year and I started to panic.”

Sam has been returning to college outside his working hours to seek help from former tutor Shaun Wing ahead of the competition, which he said he is “looking forward to”.

“I’ve missed being at college since I left in the summer. You learn a lot you wouldn’t necessarily learn in industry, so I’ve enjoyed being back.”