Two Alstom welders head for the final of national competition

Kurt Rodgers and Steve Clewlow, both apprentice welders at Alstom based in Stafford, have
made it to the final of the national SkillWeld competition, which aims to find Britains most talented trainee welder. 

Ten finalists have each successfully emerged from one of the competitions regional heats and will be taking part in a live competition at this years Skills Show at the NEC in Birmingham between 14th and 16th November. The finalists will also be eligible for selection for the World UK Skills team and may have the opportunity to compete internationally at WorldSkills 2015 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Jim Mcilwrath, Welding Engineering Manager said: Weve had some great success in recent years with another of our apprentices winning gold at the competition last year. Were extremely optimistic that Kurt and Steves dedication towards training and skills will put them in a good position during the competition.

Kurt, from Doncaster, and Steve, from Birkenhead, are both 19-years-old and attend Newcastle-under-Lyme College one day a week.

There were 112 entrants in this years competition, an increase from 77 last year. The competition is open to trainee welders who are in full time education and training at UK-based companies and are studying for welding qualifications at colleges around the country.

Alstom opened its world-class welding facility in Stafford in response to increasing demand for welding services and skills. The facility supports more than 350 of Alstoms UK based welding apprentices per year by providing a technical training facility and supporting research and development activities.