Gower College Swansea is getting ready to host the national finals of a prestigious Apprentice of the Year competition on 24 January.

Among the competitors are three Gower College Swansea students who are hoping to secure a place in the Grand UK Final in Cheltenham in March.

Two students from Gower College Swansea will represent Wales on the national stage at upcoming electrical and plumbing competitions.

Jay Popham was named the winner of the recent regional heat of the SPARKS UK Electrical Apprentice of the Year Competition which was held at the College’s Jubilee Court campus.

Students from Gower College Swansea were treated to a recent site visit to Swansea University Bay Campus’ residential development thanks to Swansea-based RDM Electrical and Mechanical Services, who are helping the students to plan their futures for a career in the electrical and mechanical services industry. 

The Level 2 Construction students were welcomed by RDM and viewed the works the company is completing for VINCI Construction UK, based around the mechanical and electrical works at the residential development phase 1C site.

Two students have represented Gower College Swansea at prestigious national apprentice competitions.

Mariusz Gawarecki, who is studying towards a Level 2 Diploma in Plumbing and Heating, was put forward for the HIP UK Heating Apprentice of the Year by his lecturer Mike Morris.

“Mariusz is an exceptional student – in fact, he was our overall Engineering Student of the Year in 2015 - and was a fantastic ambassador for the college at this year’s competition, being placed second out of ten,” says Mike.

Plumbing student Joshua D’Auria has returned to Gower College Swansea for the new term with a Young Apprentice of the Year award under his belt.

He scooped the award over the summer at the Swansea Bay Young Achievers event, held in association with Nation Hits.

The award, and the nomination from his lecturers, represented a real turnaround for Josh who had no formal qualifications when he joined the college.

All of the full time Plumbing students at Gower College Swansea are volunteering for a day with the Penllergaer Trust. They will work with members of the Trust to help maintain Penllergaer Woods, a site of considerable historical and environmental interest.

Tutor, Kelly Hinder, commented: "This is a great opportunity for all the students to learn new skills, work in a team and be involved in their local community.

Plumbing students following a Level 2 course at Gower College Swansea recently went on a visit to a Vinci Construction site.

The company has secured the contract for the first phase of a £450m Science and Innovation Campus at Swansea University. During the visit the students had a health and safety induction, followed by a briefing on the design and build of the project. They then had the opportunity to walk around the site, looking at the different structures that were being built and first fix plumbing work.