Two 'Video Moving Image' teams from CWA are getting set to compete at the prestigious Worldskills Skills Show at Birmingham NEC. WorldSkills is the global hub for skills excellence and development. The Skills Show is the UK’s leading experiential skills and careers event for young people. It takes place from Thursday 19 to Saturday 21 November, at Birmingham National Exhibition Centre (NEC). As well as the competition, the event also provides visitors with hands-on experiences that inspire them about the world of work. The build-up to this event started many months ago, when entrants were required to submit an idea for a new community television channel based on a given brief along with a 10 second video trailer to promote their concept. From this, 12 teams from across the United Kingdom were selected to go through to the semi-finals, which were held in the Creative Industries building at the College of West Anglia, on 18 June 2015. Out of this round, five finalists qualified for the finals in Birmingham, with two groups being CWA entrants. The seven students that make up the two teams are Ali Kellythorn, Rhys Rose, Sophie Davies, James Stewart, Callum Hurrell, Brodie Rake and Karolina Luksyte. Most are level 3 learners at the college, but both Ali and Rhys are former CWA students who are now at university. The groups say that this is the biggest competition they have been involved in to date and that anticipation levels and nerves are running high. Karolina Luksyte, 19, from King’s Lynn is planning to study media production at university after finishing at CWA. She said: “I went to the NEC last year, just to have a look around. It’s exciting, but nerve-wracking at the same time as people are going to be watching us do our thing.” The two teams will not receive their brief until day one of the competition at the NEC. They will be up against competitors from Salford City College, East Kent College and North East Surrey College of Technology. The equipment is different to that which the students are used to and so in preparation, students have been getting used to using this kit and trying out mock scenarios. All entrants are extremely ambitious with all looking to continue their careers in the field of media, whether that is in the role of a producer, camera operator or in film production. Brodie Rake, 17, from King’s Lynn said: “Everyone has contributed so much to this that any outcome is a good outcome. I’m just proud that we have even made it to this stage – it’s been a real team effort and a great experience for us all. I am planning to study abroad once I finish at CWA, with a life ambition of being a director.” James Stewart, 17, from King’s Lynn has ambitions of being a sports director / camera operator. He said: “It was nice to have our work recognised by the college, in particular Principal David Pomfret. He has been over to congratulate us and wish us well.” Staff at the college are “immensely proud” of the teams. Hayley Rudd, teaching support officer for the media department, has organised the majority of the trip. She said: “I hope they realise how big of a thing this is and how great this will look on their CVs.” James Fox, the groups’ media studies lecturer, said: “It’s been three years of hard work to get the college to this level, from both staff and students. Without staff members Scott Jarvis and Hayley Rudd it just doesn’t happen.  It’s a part of our lives now. “We have listened to feedback from last year and even hosted the semi-finals at the college. Not getting through was never an option for us. It’s alright being talented but it’s the practice that pays off and these groups have worked hard to get to this stage. Birmingham will be one of the best moments of my life… again.”