Our students proudly represented the College at this year’s KFE4Skills competition, an annual event that brings together learners across Kent and Medway to put their skills to the test.
Competing in Automotive, Electrical and Hairdressing, they went head-to-head against students from across East Kent Colleges Group, MidKent College and North Kent College, rising to the challenge.
Across the three days of competition, we caught up with our students to hear about their favourite moments, what inspired them, and why they’d encourage others to take part in this unique event.
Atlas | Hairdressing (Ladies’ Hair-Up - Era)
Atlas began her KFE4Skills journey by securing third place in the East Kent Colleges Group heats.
In this week’s finals, she went on to achieve second place in the ‘Era’ category, impressing judges with her interpretation of the theme.
She was over the moon to receive a Silver medal, saying at the awards ceremony: “I’m very shocked because I honestly wasn’t expecting it, but I’m really happy. I love that I’ve been able to represent the College as I wanted to make Dover proud. I feel like I’ve done that.”
Atlas’ favourite part of KFE4Skills has been the sense of community that comes with it.
She added: “I’ve learnt from today that even though you’re all competing, there’s still a sense of togetherness. Some people were helping each other out even though we were technically against each other. It created a slightly competitive but still fun and supportive atmosphere. Everyone was nervous and it was very quiet at times, but you could really feel the atmosphere in the room.”
Her advice for future KFE4Skills competitors is: “If you want to take part next year, go for it and don’t hold back. If you have an idea, try to create exactly what you imagine instead of playing it safe. Just put yourself out there.”
Victor | Automotive
Victor took on the Automotive category in a demanding five-hour, round robin challenge that saw him tackle a series of tasks, including inspecting brakes, diagnosing tyre wear, investigating a misfire and identifying a flat battery.
Reflecting on the experience, he said: “It feels so different, particularly as the campus is bigger and it’s a different feeling when you’re against the clock. I’ve been learning some new skills along the way in terms of the electrical tasks and refreshing the skills I already had.”
His advice for future competitors is: “Don’t rush the challenges, don’t overthink everything and remain confident.”
Jayden | Electrical Installation
Jayden took part in the Electrical Installation category, where he was challenged to complete a series of practical tasks including setting up PVC piping, metal trunking and then wiring up his electrical system.
Reflecting on the experience during the day, he said: “I feel quite confident about today, I’ll be using a lot of problem solving. I do feel a bit nervous especially because other people are working around me and I need to be aware of where they are at, but I still feel confident about it.”
He also explained that by taking part in KFE4Skills, it is a great chance to further develop his abilities from College: “Taking part in this competition is helping me feel a bit more confident about my skillset. At points I’ve been able to just focus on what I’m doing and how I can improve.”
For every learner involved, this experience is the perfect opportunity to showcase their talent, boost their confidence and gain invaluable experience to enhance their CVs.
As KFE4Skills is endorsed by WorldSkills UK, winners not only aim for a certificate and medal, but also a chance to go onto the prestigious regional and national WorldSkills UK competitions.
Victoria Copp-Crawley, Deputy CEO of East Kent Colleges Group, said about the importance of KFE4Skills:
“Our collaboration with North Kent College and Mid Kent College is so important to us. It really gives us opportunities for our students to work together. It’s a real team effort but it’s about showcasing skills and the amazing talent we have in Kent.
“Our students benefit from skills competitions as they compete at local level, group level and at KFE level. This helps them showcase their skills, showcase their talent and it also builds their confidence. For me the most important thing is that students are proud today of what they’ve achieved and what they’ve done.”
We are incredibly proud of all the students who took part, showcasing not only their technical expertise but also their creativity, teamwork and resilience. Congratulations to all participants.
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