Students from the College of West Anglia are preparing to set off to Birmingham for the national finals of WorldSkills UK, which take place from Thursday 17th November, at the NEC. CWA currently sits among the top 12 colleges in the UK for 2016 WorldSkills registrations and finalists: • Of the 19 Eastern regional WorldSkills finalists, six (32%) are from CWA (up 7% on 2015), representing 46% of all college based finalists • CWA, for the 3rd year running, has achieved more registrations and finalists than any other college in the region • CWA is one of only three organisations in the region to have achieved more than one student finalist • Only one college, CWA, achieved finalists in more than one vocational area This year, the college is being represented by Jessica Palmer and Shaney Sloan in the Health and Social Care advanced competition and James Veal, Kitti Wells and Callum Hefford in the Video Moving Image advanced competition. Principal David Pomfret said: “I’m sure you would wish to join me in congratulating our students on their achievements and wish them every success in the finals. I’d also like to congratulate and thank our very dedicated staff teams for their ongoing support and encouragement to our finalists. “Engagement in skills competitions enables our students to stretch and challenge themselves, raise aspirations, develop self-confidence and belief, inspire others, showcase the talents of the college, raise the profile of vocational education and skills and develop a very impressive CV which leads to fantastic career opportunities.” Updates will be placed on CWA’s social media channels as the competition progresses! Good luck CWA!   An insight into WorldSkills:  Media students James, Kitti and Callum have been preparing for the VMI competition at WorldSkills UK for weeks. Kitti, 18, said: "We first had to get through the passive stage of the competition, the semi-finals, which was sci-fi themed but until we get to the finals, we don't know what we will be asked to do." James, 18, said: "We've been practising framing and developing our interview skills but it could all go up in the air on Thursday." Kitti, who is planning to go on to university on completion of her CWA course, added: "Being a part of WorldSkills has definitely developed my confidence. My family are coming to watch me this week at the NEC and are all really excited." Their tutor James Fox said: "It's all a bit emotional. These guys succeeded in an away match at the semi-finals that has been their hardest competition to date. They've also got the added pressure of coming off the back of a medal winning team last year from CWA. This team is the best I have come across and have the skills necessary to win. They deserve to be at the NEC!" A supporters coach is travelling to the NEC on Thursday, from the CWA King's Lynn campus. This allows staff and students to go along and show their support. Send your messages of support online via Twitter and Facebook!