Student Matthew picks up Worldskills bronze medal

repair student has picked up a bronze medal as part of Team UK at global skills competition WorldSkills Leipzig 2013.

The medal was awarded to Matthew Quinn, a student at Belfast Metropolitan College and Riverpark Training and employed by Charles Hurst Accident Repair Centre in Dunmurry.

More than 150,000 spectators from across the world watched 1,000 young skilled people from 50 countries compete over four days to be the best in the world in their skill.

Autobody repair Bronze medal winner Matthew said: “To win a bronze medal in autobody repair is just amazing. The last few months have been really tough fitting my training for WorldSkills around work and family responsibilities but it has been totally worth it.

“I want to show the world how Apprenticeships/vocational training can enable young people to gain a real qualification and a real future.”

Six other students from Northern Ireland, James Overend, David Cargill, Gary Greer, Mark Woods, Kenneth Wilson and David Beattie, won Medallions for Excellence in mechatronics, car painting, wall and floor tiling, plastering and dry wall systems and joinery.

This honour is awarded to those competitors who reach the world class level in their skills discipline.

After four days of intense competition, Team UK, who are all aged 18 – 25, won two Gold, one Silver, three Bronze Medals and 17 Medallions for Excellence in skills such as bricklaying, floristry, beauty therapy, hairdressing and aircraft maintenance

Employment and Learning Minister, Dr Stephen Farry, said: “This is an outstanding achievement not only for the young people, but also for their families, employers and tutors who have supported them throughout their training and during WorldSkills, and I want to congratulate them all on their awards.

“This success is testament to the high standards of technical and professional training in our colleges and the commitment to excellence shown by our young people. Northern Ireland has once again demonstrated on the world stage that we have a talented workforce with the high level skills which keep us competitive in the global economy. All Northern Irish members of Team UK deserve the highest of praise for their achievement in making it as far as Team UK to demonstrate to the world how highly skilled they are.”