College Weld Challenge Puts Trainees to the Test

5th June 2014

Eleven trainee welders from North Highland College UHI and Inverness College UHI went head to head in a college weld challenge last week, with the first heat based at Inverness Longman campus, and the second at North Highland's state-of-the-art engineering, technology and energy centre.

The students were selected from the 72 full time and apprentice welders currently training at the two colleges. At both heats each had two hours to demonstrate manual metal arc (stick welding) and MIG (metal inert gas) welding to local representatives from the Welding Institute.

All participants received one year's subscription to the Welding Institute, whilst the winner and runners up will enjoy a guided tour of the CRC Evans yard at Wester, near Wick, and a chance to watch welding procedures and qualifications in the making at the offshore supply base in Invergordon.

Nikita Macdonald (28) from Raigmore was named overall winner following the judging panel on Wednesday (4 June). She will receive a MMA/TIG welding machine and equipment for her personal use, courtesy of local firm Macgregor Industrial Supplies and their equipment manufacturer Kemppi. The Runner up was North Highland College UHI student Adam Bremner (17) from Wick. Adam, an apprentice with JGC is currently studying PO level 2 Fabrication and Welding.

On receiving the prize, Adam commented "I would like to thank everyone who was involved in making the competition happen - it was a good experience and something different."

Praising Adam’s efforts, Curriculum Leader for Fabrication and Welding, Billy Tomlinson says "Adam has been an outstanding student and has been consistent from day 1. He has been top of his class in every aspect and is a fantastic role model within the group. I am delighted with Adam’s achievement in the first of our cross college competitions."

"Adam is a fantastic example of a young man who understands the principals of hard work and honesty, and will be an Asset to JGC - definitely one to look out for in the future."

Archie Leslie, welding lecturer at Inverness College UHI, added: “Both Inverness and North Highland College have enjoyed having an excellent standard of students over recent years. We organised the competition to give them a chance to work under the pressure that an industrial ‘coded’ welder has to endure and show off their skills to the welding industry.

“I’d like to thank all our judges and supporters of the competition, particularly the Welding Institute, CRC Evans, Macgregor Industrial Supplies and Kemppi.”

Judge and chairman of the Highland branch of the Welding Institute commented: “The standard of welding was high and the choice of an overall winner was a difficult one. Following her win, Nikita will meet fellow welders and be presented with a shield at the Highland & Island Welding Institute branch meeting on 12th of June.”

PHOTO
Back row, left to right (8 students)
Ryan Gray (17) Keith
Jack Hendry (17) Keith
Grant Ferguson (18) Brodie
Adam Bremner (17) Wick
Justin Gunn (17) Barrack
Michael Rosie (17) Thurso
Kieran Campbell (17) Thurso
Daniel Dearness (18) Thurso