Two local Health & Social Care students Philomena McGoldrick and Janet Jones represented South West College in the WorldSkills UK Regional heats in Birmingham recently. Both girls performed outstandingly, with Philomena McGoldrick securing 3nd place overall in her regional heat. Philomena and Janet are currently studying a QCF Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care at SWC Omagh Campus. Both students were chosen by their tutors to enter this year’s WorldSkills UK. This is the College’s first endeavour into the competition in the Health & Social category.
Organised by the WorldSkills UK in association with Profiles4Care, the WorldSkills UK competitions are part of WorldSkills International, the world’s largest vocational skills competition. The competition aims to find the best adult social care workers in the country. The heat at Brimingham in the South and City College was the first of four regional heats taking place between May and July, with the highest scorers going forward to the National finals at the Skills Show, which will be held at the NEC in Birmingham this November.
Over the course of the day, competitors demonstrated the delivery of excellent care in a mix of written tests and live activities, assessed by a panel of expert judges from across the country. The activities, which included working with older people and with people with learning disabilities, were devised by the Skills Academy to replicate situations which competitors would be expected to face in their everyday roles.
Christina McCarney, Health and Social Care Assessor at SWC, coached and mentored the girls in preparation for the competition. Christina said; “The quality of care displayed by Philomena and Janet in their placements and in their written assignments have been outstanding and a pleasure for me to observe. The girls were able to demonstrate this knowledge and skill at the competition. Participating in the competition has boosted the girl’s confidence and morale”. Roisin Bradley, Curriculum Manager Health & Social Care at SWC Omagh Campus, said; “ I would like to thank all the Management and staff at SWC Omagh Campus and the Health & Social Care team for developing the girls caring skills and supporting them in preparation for the competition.”
Lead judge Pat Pearson, Profiles4Care, said: “Worldskills just gets better and better as a competition and a real showcase for how well social care is carried out. It was a pleasure to observe such committed competitors taking part in this heat at Shipley College and to award prizes to some outstanding care workers and students.”