STUDENTS at Derwen College revealed their vocational and creative skills during a week of competitions.

Last week saw students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) demonstrate their talents in catering, table-laying, housekeeping, art, functional skills, IT and design and horticulture as part of the college’s new Skills Live event.

The competitions – held in industry-standard conditions and judged by industry experts – were open to 16 to 25-year-olds who are currently in education, in mainstream or specialist colleges or schools, and working at up to Level 1.

Judges included Neil Bevan of Oswestry-based branding, graphic design and marketing business Hunter Bevan; Oswestry author Jan Hedger; Oswestry Library manager Siobhan Shaw; Dave Cank of Severndale Nurseries; artist Liz Dean; and Jim Creed from Oswestry’s The Qube.

Clare Howard, chief executive of Natspec, an organisation which supports the specialist college sector, visited the college for the launch of the catering competitions.

She said: “Competitions are an effective method of stretching and challenging students.

“They help to measure and recognise achievement and show off the work-related skills of our learners.

“They drive confidence and self-esteem, which are needed in the workplace and the best competitions are based on industry standards to ensure that students are work-ready.

“Natspec is pleased to support the work of Derwen College.”

Derwen College’s industry champion and judge Neil Bevan said: “I get invited to attend many events at the college, such as open days, performances and fundraisers.

“One of the highlights has been taking part in judging the Skills Live competitions.

“These competitions really showcase the skills the students from Derwen and other colleges have in many areas that relate directly to employment opportunities.

“These are all skills that can be transferred directly to the workplace, if employers will give them the opportunity to show what they are capable of.

“The students are also great to talk to and it’s obvious that they gain a great deal from the competitions and from interacting with people from outside the college environment.”

Author Jan Hedger added: “I was delighted to be asked to be a judge, once again working alongside students and staff, supporting young people with special educational needs in their functional skills.

“It was an inspirational and enjoyable day.”

And Derwen College principal Meryl Green said that the college was proud to be launching the competitions.

“Skills Live is an exciting new step in our competition journey and part of our continued efforts to find innovative ways to improve opportunities for students,” she said.

“At Derwen, we are privileged to have the facilities and industry connections to run competitions to showcase the skills demonstrated by students following vocational pathways.”