A painting and decorating apprentice from Truro and Penwith College has been selected to take part in an international competition in China.
Thomas Nowell will represent the UK in the International Worldskills competition – the Skills Olympics – in Shanghai next year 2021.
The 18-year old from Penzance has been working up to the international World Skills competition since 2017 when he entered the Johnstone’s Paints south west regional heats and won silver, which led to a place in the Johnstone’s Paints national final at Coventry Ricoh Arena.
This in turn led Nowell to the WorldSkills regional heats where he won gold before heading to the WorldSkills UK Live national final at the NEC in Birmingham.
The WorldSkills competition, which will next be held in Shanghai, China in 2021, takes place every two years and is known as the ‘Skills Olympics’. The competition will feature over 1,000 of the world’s most talented apprentices and students competing in over 50 different skills as they battle it out to be named the world champion in their chosen skill.
“We are immensely proud of Thomas and the hard work he has put into securing this opportunity,” said Steve Piff, head of construction at Truro and Penwith College.
“He has shown that he has the commitment, natural aptitude and skills to compete at the highest level and excel. We wish him every success and will continue to support him with this endeavour.”
The previous WorldSkills competition was held last year in Kazan, Russia where Team UK was awarded 19 medals.
