Former Pembrokeshire College Level 3 Welding student, Josh Tuson, recently competed in the SkillWeld Regional Semi-Final at MITEC and is waiting to find out if he has a place in the National Final in November.

Flying the flag for Pembrokeshire, Josh took part in the semi-final for the South Wales region which involved four hours of challenges to test his skills on a variety of different welding techniques.

Battling for a place in the SkillWeld National Final, Josh created four test pieces including a 4-inch pipe butt, an aluminium TIG pipe to plate, a stainless steel TIG fillet and a vertical MAG fillet, all being welded in different positions and using different consumables.

Josh now works as an apprentice with Jenkins and Davies, Pembroke, after progressing through the Engineering route at college and said: “I can’t wait to find out if I’ve reached the final - although I’m pleased to be ranked in the top two in South Wales!”

Josh completed Level 2 NVQ Engineering and Level 3 Enhanced Engineering at Pembrokeshire College last year and went straight into full-time employment as an apprentice with Jenkins and Davies, Pembroke.

College lecturer, Jo Bradshaw said: “We’re delighted to see Josh compete in the SkillWeld semi-final! He’s worked hard and the quality of his work is of a very high standard. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that he reaches the final as he is a very talented young man.”

The SkillWeld regional semi-final was sponsored by Codeaweld, The Welding Institute, Lincoln Electric, Doosan and ECiTB. Contenders received a goodie bag of useful tools and accessories provided by Air Products.

Reaching the final heat at the NEC in Birmingham would mean that Josh could be in with a chance of being selected for the Long Squad who represent Team UK in the WorldSkills competition which will be held in Russia in 2019.

Jo added: “The Skills competitions provide an excellent opportunity to be within the top 10 welding apprentices in the UK. I’d like to thank Jenkins and Davies who are always very supportive of student competitions.”

Visit pembrokeshire.ac.uk/courses to find out where your learning journey could take you.