Health and Social Care student Mared McNally from Coleg Sir Gâr further education college in Carmarthenshire, Wales, has taken the first prize in the third qualifying heat in this year’s WorldSkills UK 2016 Health and Social Care Competition, part of the world’s largest vocational skills competition.
The third of five qualifying heats was held on the 22nd of June 2016 at South Devon College in Paignton and hosted 12 of this year’s 60 competitors from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, who were able to demonstrate their skills in delivering health care in a competitive environment. This year’s competitions are organised by Profiles4Care and sponsored by the NHS Leadership academy.
Heat 3 on 22nd June saw some fantastic skills being delivered with personal centred health care being demonstrated throughout, resulting in the following winners:
Mared McNally, Coleg Sir Gâr
1st place – Mared McNally, Coleg Sir Gâr
2nd place – Carole Langmead, Skills Group (Independent training providers)
3rd place – Sarah Gardner, Skills Group
Commenting on the win Mared (18) said; “I’m very happy to have won, it was such a surprise. The competition has been both overwhelming and exciting, and it is a great opportunity to work in a new environment. I have learnt so much about how to practice in a professional manner and have made new friends too.”
Organised by Profiles4Care Ltd, the WorldSkills UK competitions are part of WorldSkills International, the world’s largest vocational skills competition.
The competition aims to find the best adult health and social care workers in the country. A total of five regional qualifying heats are taking place between May and July, with the eight highest scorers from across the country going forward to the National Finals at the Skills Show, being held at the NEC in Birmingham this November.
Over the course of the day competitors needed to demonstrate the delivery of excellent health care in a mix of written tests and live activities, assessed by a panel of expert judges from across the country. The activities, which includes working with older people and people with learning disabilities, were devised by Profiles4Care Ltd to replicate situations which health and social care workers would be expected to face in their everyday roles.
Carole Langmead (46), who won 2nd prize said; “I’m feeling so happy and really emotional. The competition has been an absolutely amazing experience and has more than exceeded my expectations. I am so proud of myself and Sarah, the three months of build-up were so worth it and I have learned how important it is to just be myself.”
Sarah Gardner (27), who came 3rd said; “Today was terrifying to start with but I got more comfortable and confident in myself as the day went on. I have learned not to be afraid to give anything a go and I just can’t believe that I’ve come third.”
