Dudley College Celebrates Success as Apprentice Secures Coveted Gold in WorldSkills Competition

Dudley College of Technology is delighted to announce the triumph of Tom Sadler, a highly skilled Level 3 Manufacturing and Engineering Apprentice, who claimed the prestigious gold medal in the fiercely competitive Metal Fabrication category at the WorldSkills UK National Finals in Manchester in November. 

The national competition is well-known for its competitive nature, bringing together highly skilled individuals from various fields. In the Metal Fabrication category, participants are challenged to demonstrate precision, creativity, and mastery of technical skills over a period of 4 days. Tom’s success in such a challenging environment showcased not only his personal abilities but also the high standards maintained by Dudley College’s Apprenticeship programs.

Commenting on the experience Tom said: “I am delighted to win this prestigious prize, and I would like to thank my employer – Collins Aerospace, for their unwavering support, especially for visiting me during the competition. Additionally, I would like to thank my wonderful tutor: Andy Whitehouse for his guidance and encouragement throughout this journey. I have thoroughly enjoyed the process of taking part in WorldSkills and would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone interested in getting involved.”  

Tom’s employer: Collins Aerospace supported him, throughout the competition granting him the necessary time off to hone his fabrication skills and even visiting him in Manchester during the finals. Tom joined Collins Aerospace in September 2023 and hopes to now advance his career by pursuing a Level 4 Manufacturing and Engineering Apprenticeship with them delivered through Dudley College. 

Neil Thomas, Chief Executive and Principal of Dudley College, commented:  “This is a wonderful accomplishment. Tom is now the best apprentice in the country in this field. His dedication and success in the WorldSkills Metal Fabrication Finals are a testament to his extraordinary talent and hard work which has been fostered through his studies at college.  We are immensely proud of Tom and look forward to seeing him complete again next year as he continues to study with us. Well done!

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