Dinnington: Local student makes World Skills final

Curtis Michalik, 18, and his friend Joel Whitton, 19, from Chesterfield, have both won a place in the final of the World Skills at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre this week.

The two men are environmental conservation students at North Notts College in Worksop and have reached the finals of World Skills –an event designed to be the largest showcase of young people’s skills in the UK – at their first attempt.

The event started yesterday (Thursday) and runs until Sunday (17th November) and Curtis and Joel will spend three days working on a wide range of tasks.

The North Notts pair fought off strong competition from college students around the UK to win their places at the even.

Their winning entry was an essay on Government policy and environmental economics to reach the final where they will face six other teams including a team from Holland.

North Notts College lecturer Paul Curtis said: “It’s very unusual for students to get through to the World Skills final on their first attempt so this is a huge achievement for Joel and Curtis.”

The Environmental Science competition involves three days of problem solving in subjects such as climate change, environmental economics and Government policy related to the environment.

There will also a practical element where the competitors have to construct items like a solar oven.

Both Joel and Curtis are planning to continue their studies at North Nottinghamshire College on the Higher National Certificate in environmental conservation.

The Skills Show is the largest careers and skills event in the country and offers young people the chance to meet some of the biggest names in industry, get face-to-face careers advice and hear talks’ from experts giving real-life, practical insights and guidance into the world of work and skills in careers ranging from rail engineering to computer design and forensic science.