Two Fife College students make final of UK engineering skills contest

Two automotive engineering students from Fife College (@fifecollege) have made it to the final stage of WorldSkills UK (@worldskillsuk), a multi-disciplinary competition designed to discover the most talented students and apprentices in the country.

Ian Robertson from Ceres has qualified in the Automotive Technology category, and Mark McAdams from Dunfermline has made the final in the Heavy Vehicle Technology category at the WorldSkills UK competition.

The contest invites students from around the country to test their skills against other automotive apprentices through a series of tests of their skills, knowledge and expertise.

Due to the Coronavirus restrictions the qualifying rounds this year comprised of a 30 minute online multiple choice quiz, with the top scorers making a regional final when they had their knowledge tested in a further five areas.

Six students from each category then made it through to the final due to be held this month in Cardiff, with the winners crowned at a ceremony hosted by TV presenter Steph McGovern from her Packed Lunch studio on Friday 26 November.

After learning of his nomination, Ian Robertson, an apprentice at James Moodie Motor Engineers and a Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair student at Fife College said:

“I entered the contest as I was keen to test myself against other students from around the country, and my lecturers suggested I give it a go.

“I didn’t realise the magnitude of the contest until I was in it, but to compete against other mechanics from the rest of the UK and to make the final is amazing.

“The first two rounds were a real challenge, but now I’m through them I’m looking forward to the final.

“I’m normally a bag of nerves before things like this, but my lecturers are helping me prepare for it beforehand so I’m sure I’ll be OK!”

Mark McAdams, an apprentice with Fife Council and Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair student at Fife College said:

“It’s amazing to have made the final.

“With students entering from across the UK, it’s really competitive, so you have to really know your stuff to get through each stage.

“I’m really glad my lecturers suggested I enter, and their help in revising for it has been really helpful.

“I’ll do all I can beforehand to prepare, but even if the final doesn’t go my way the experience has been brilliant.”

Martin MacKenzie, an Automotive Lecturer at Fife College said: 

“We’re really proud of what Ian and Mark have achieved in making the final of the WorldSkills competition.

“It’s an extremely hard contest, and they’ve had to beat hundreds of other entrants from across the UK to get this far.

“We’re always eager for our students to stretch themselves, and this is a great way for them to test their knowledge of what they’ve learned here at the College.

“We’re now looking forward to helping Ian and Mark cram in some extra studying before the finals this month.”