The two Daniels triumph at WorldSkills UK landscaping

Two students have won gold medals at the WorldSkills UK landscape gardening competition at The Skills Show.

Landscaping gold: Daniel Brennen and Daniel Handley at The Skills Show

Daniel Handley of Sparsholt College in Hampshire and Daniel Brennen from Derby College, Derby triumphed after a tense three-day build at the UK’s largest careers fair, held at Birmingham NEC between 14 and 16 November.

Adam Ferguson and Thero Parkin won silver in the three-team competition with Andrew Hannam and Andrew Cartwright taking bronze.

The contest was one of 70 which covered skills as diverse as forensic science and hairdressing, with winners getting the chance to go through to the WorldSkills International competition in Brazil in 2015.

Skills and Enterprise Minister Matthew Hancock said: "Congratulations to all of this year’s winners. Skills are vital to the future of our country and it’s great to see so many talented young people taking part and demonstrating their expertise.

"I hope today’s winners will inspire others to begin learning a new skill which could lead to a new career and then to become the stars of tomorrow."

Visitors to the Skills Show were able to watch the competitors in action in the WorldSkills UK Competitions, try their hand at different skills and meet with National Careers Service advisors to receive the latest information on Apprenticeships and other training opportunities.

Director of The Skills Funding Agency and UK official delegate to WorldSkills International Keith Smith said: "I offer my congratulations to the winners of WorldSkills UK.  It takes hard work, determination and a high level of skill to compete against the UK’s most talented apprentices and learners. 

"By holding the WorldSkills UK national competition finals at The Skills Show we can showcase and celebrate the high levels of talent entering the UK’s workforce."


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