As part of the South West Skills Challenge, City of Bristol College were recently invited to take part in an automotive competition. The event, led by Head of Department at Bath College, Sadie Potts and Automotive Programme Manager Steve Cottle, brought together some of the best young talent from across the region.
Representing City of Bristol College was Level 1 student Nikodem Dobrzycki, currently studying Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair at the Parkway Centre. Nikodem was selected through an internal competition overseen by the college’s Automotive Programme Manager, Stuart Beavan.
The South West Skills Challenge, supported by World Skills Live UK, is a platform for Further Education colleges to go head-to-head in a variety of vocational fields.
Jake Sanders, Community Campus Lead at City of Bristol College, who is a member of the competition group, said, “Competition-led learning is greatly beneficial to learners, raising standards and aligning the skills and knowledge to the industry requirements.
“I have always promoted internal and external competition with learners in my previous roles within education, and our learners at City of Bristol College will be encouraged to continue to take part in competitions across many different sectors in the future.”
The day kicked off with a warm welcome from Sadie Potts to participants from colleges including Bath, Swindon, Bridgwater & Taunton, and City of Bristol College.
Sadie commenced proceedings by stating: “The learners participating have been selected internally by each college and were the best Level 1 learners of automotive in the region. Each learner has done incredibly well to get to this stage.”
Contestants were tested on a series of hands-on tasks designed to reflect real-world automotive work, ranging from changing brake pads and clutches to performing inspections and refitting spark plugs.
Each learner was judged on the safety, process and completion of each task. Steve Cottle from Bath College, who designed the competition brief and criteria, informed the judges: “Whilst we are testing the learners on their skills and knowledge, the judges should provide a supportive approach.” This created a challenging yet supportive environment.
Once all learners had completed the tasks within the competition, the judges compiled the results, and Sadie Potts and Steve Cottle hosted the ceremony, rewarding all learners who participated and proceeded to select the top 3 competitors.
We are delighted to report that Nikodem finished in first place and was rewarded with a trophy and a competition prize. Speaking immediately after the result was delivered, Nikodem commented: “I didn’t believe I would win; when they announced the third and second places, I would never have thought that I could finish in first place.”
Stuart Beavan provided insight on how Nikodem managed to secure first place, he said: “To prepare for the competition, Nikodem attended both SBSA and Parkway centres in his own time to complete extra learning. Myself and lecturers Deana Beavan and Rob Hallam have supported him through this process and have witnessed Nikodem’s enthusiasm, interest and dedication to his course and vocation.
Nikodem’s journey doesn’t end here. He has also secured an apprenticeship for the upcoming academic year and will continue his studies with City of Bristol College. The college is proud to support him as he propels toward a promising automotive career.
For more information regarding motor vehicle courses that are taught at City of Bristol College’s Parkway Centre, simply click here.
