Alstom Welding Apprentice scoops gold medal at Skills Show

Alstom Powers Richard Keatman scooped the gold medal at the annual Skills Show held at the NEC, Birmingham.

Richard, a fourth year welding apprentice, beat other apprentices from around the UK in the apprentice welding competition.

During the three days of The Skills Show (15-17 November), over 500 people took part in 61 WorldSkills UK national competitions in disciplines ranging from aeronautical engineering through to landscape gardening.

The competitors battled it out to win gold, silver and bronze and to ultimately be named the best of the best in the UK at their chosen skill. TV presenter Angelica Bell was on stage to hand out the medals to the winners.

I come from a family of welders, my dad was a welder and my granddad was a welder before him. I dont think theres anything special about what I do, Im very patient about it, I want to do well I dont like doing shoddy work. I really love doing it and make sure I do everything to the best of my ability. said gold medal winner Richard.

Jim Mcilwrath, Welding Engineering Manager said: Richard has developed into an excellent individual and welder, over the last two years Richard has won four major welding competitions and is a credit to Alstom, apprenticeship schemes and to UK welding. Richard's behavior and dedication towards training and skills competitions has been excellent and is fast becoming a role model to the other welding apprentices within Alstom.

Alstom had a strong presence at the event with Bradley Beresford, second year welding apprentice, supporting The Welding Institute on the welding with chocolate stand, assisting on the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board stand and had the privilege of having Danny Broadbent, UK Bronze & European Silver medalist, nominated as an official judge for the event.

In Stafford, Alstom opened its world-class welding facility in a response to increases in demand for welding services and skills. The facility supports the training of Alstoms UK based welding apprentices by providing a technical training facility and supporting research and development activities. The facility is now gearing up for its next major competition, with five apprentices currently training for the 2013 SkillWeld Competition, where success could lead to similar competitions on the world stage.