Engineering students scoop team medals

The students, from UTC Sheffield, competed against 116 other colleges, employers and universities across the country at the Skills Show in Birmingham last month, before taking home gold and silver medals in industrial control, and silver and bronze medals in mechatronics.

UTC principal Alex Reynolds said: “Our students rank among the nation’s most highly skilled young people and I am extremely proud of them. They are developing the skills and qualities needed by employers and this award winning national recognition is testament to that.

“The results place the UTC as one of the three joint best performers among the English institutions that competed. Overall, the UTC Sheffield team ranked joint fifth in the UK medal table.”

Student Daniel Pickering, aged 17, who won a gold medal, said: “The competition was very challenging and such a different experience to anything I have done before. I really had to draw on all of my problem solving skills. I am so proud to be recognised as one of the best in the UK.”

Student Michal Krol, aged 18, who won one of the silver medals, said: “The competition was extremely challenging. We had to compete at such a high level against the other teams, the pressure at times was immense and we had to really focus to ensure we completed all the tasks. I am so proud of my silver medal. To beat teams from industry at the highest possible level has been fantastic.”

Richard Wright, executive director of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, said: “Business values vocational and practical training for many careers just as much as academic qualifications. These students proved the technical and practical skills that translate straight into the work environment.”