Southwark College students were proud to take part at this year’s NCG Skills Competition, held last week at Kidderminster College during National Apprenticeship Week.
The annual competition brings together students from across NCG’s seven colleges, providing a national platform to showcase the knowledge, technical expertise and professional standards developed throughout the year. A key event in the NCG calendar, it celebrates excellence in vocational and technical education across a wide range of disciplines, including business, carpentry, hairdressing, joinery, electrical installation and bricklaying.
After progressing through competitive regional heats in December, Southwark College students travelled to the national finals to compete, including strong representation in Arts and Business. Their participation demonstrated the breadth of talent across the College, spanning creative, commercial and technical pathways.
Each competition category was designed and judged in partnership with leading employer partners including NOCN Group, One Advanced, L’Oréal, Vella and WorldSkills UK, ensuring a realistic, industry-standard environment. Competing in a live- high-pressure environment enabled students to test their skills nationally, sharpen their professional practice and gain valuable insight into employer expectations within their chosen sectors.
NCG Skills plays an important role in strengthening hands-on learning, building confidence and developing the technical, professional and personal attributes that employers increasingly value. For Southwark College students, the experience was an opportunity not only to test themselves at the highest level, but also to celebrate how far they have progressed throughout the academic year.
Representing the College on a national stage reflects the ambition, creativity and professionalism of Southwark’s learner community. We are immensely proud of all students who took part and look forward to sharing further highlights from the competition.
NCG Skills 2026 Winners
Electrical: George Collins, Kidderminster College
Bricklaying: Ollie Skillen, Newcastle College
Carpentry: Jak Dolton, Carlisle College
Joinery: Shaun Gray, Carlisle College
Painting & Decorating: Ellie Fox, Newcastle College
Plastering: Jake Waite, Carlisle College
Business: Jude Strong, Newcastle College
Hairdressing: Rosie Overy, Lewisham College
Beauty: Ornela Mucta, Newcastle College
Creative Media Make-Up: Bethany Covent, Newcastle College
Art & Design: Lana McKenzie, Newcastle Sixth Form College
Read more about the NCG Skills Competition here https://www.ncgrp.co.uk/news/ncg-skills-2026-showcases-exceptional-student-talent/
