USW hosts first Performing Arts contest for Skills Competition Wales

The University of South Wales (USW) has hosted the first ever Performing Arts contest run by Skills Competition Wales, which supports young people across the country to achieve excellence.

Held at USW’s Cardiff Campus, the competition saw students create short performances around the theme ‘And what now?’, involving a mix of dance, acting and singing. Coleg Ceredigion took gold, while Bridgend College won silver and Merthyr College were the bronze medal winners.

Competition heats for Digital Media Production and Inclusive Skills Media ran simultaneously from the Cardiff Campus. A Popular Music contest, with students from Bridgend College, Gower College Swansea, Pembrokeshire College, Cardiff and Vale College, Coleg y Cymoedd, Coleg Gwent, Coleg Sir Gar and Coleg Cambria, also took place at Pontio Arts and Innovation Centre in Bangor.

The competition was held in a ‘battle of the bands’ format, with students performing a short set of cover versions, original compositions or a combination of both.

The winning band was the Outtakes from Pembrokeshire College, with Wired from Bridgend College coming a close second.

Competitions were judged by a panel of academic and industry specialists – for Popular Music, this included BBC Radio Wales DJ Adam Walton, Welsh musician Gaz Williams, and Head of Music and Drama at USW, Lucy Squire. For Performing Arts, the panel included USW’s Matthew Gough, Senior Lecturer in Dance; and for Digital Media, judges included Lesley Harbidge, Head of Film and TV at USW, Creative Producer Stifyn Parri, and Rhys Bebb, Welsh Language Training and Education Manager at Screen Alliance Wales.

This year’s Skills Competition Wales saw more than 1,200 students from each Welsh region battle it out to be named the best in the country in their chosen skill. A record-breaking 293 talented young people were awarded medals for their success in categories including health and social care, industrial economics, carpentry, independent living skills and many more.

USW’s Popular Music competition also led to the college students curating the core fringe gig for this year’s Immersed! Festival, which has become a regular feature of the annual music event.

Angela Fitzgerald, Performing Arts tutor at Coleg y Cymoedd, said: “The first year of this competition felt as if it started on a high at USW. The whole experience for the learners was impressive; the theatre space, the judges, the support from other colleges and the workshops provided for the learners. I hope we can continue to improve and provide this excellent opportunity for Performing Arts students across Wales.”

Lucy Squire, Head of Music and Drama at USW, added: “We are simply thrilled to build relationships with Skills Competition Wales and our partner colleges to support participation in this exciting initiative for young people, that nurtures the talent pipeline in Wales.”

Funded by the Welsh Government, Skills Competition Wales is run by the Inspiring Skills Excellence in Wales project; a Welsh Government funded programme run by a dedicated network of colleges, work-based learning providers and employer-led organisations.

The finalists of Skills Competition Wales now have the opportunity to compete in the national and international competitions of WorldSkills UK, EuroSkills and WorldSkills International, subject to a further round of applications.

Next year, Lyon in France will be hosting the 47th International WorldSkills competition, otherwise known as the ‘Skills Olympics’. A total of 38 competitors across Wales have started their training journeys in hope of representing Team UK at Lyon 2024, and potentially being crowned the best in the world at their chosen skill.

Welsh Government Minister for Economy, Vaughan Gething, said: “Skills Competition Wales is an excellent platform for young people to challenge themselves and put their skills to the test. Having supported and attended several of the competitions in the past, I have seen first-hand the amazing talent Wales has to offer. I was particularly impressed by the enthusiasm of the participants. Their passion for their craft was evident as they put their best foot forward and competed for top honours.

“It is inspiring to witness young people take pride in what they do and strive to be the very best versions of themselves. Programmes like Skills Competition Wales help to promote a culture of growth and excellence at every level. I’d like to congratulate each and every competitor on their accomplishments this far. Each of you have a very exciting journey ahead.”