This week, EKC Canterbury College students showcased their talents at the KFE4Skills competition, an annual event bringing together Colleges from across the region to compete in a wide range of vocational and technical skills challenges.
This year’s event, endorsed by WorldSkills UK, saw many of our students competing across a range of 18 skills competitions including Public Services, Performing Arts, Electrical Installation and Hair and Beauty across three days.
We were fortunate enough to host the final day, focused on Professional and Commercial competitions, in which all of our staff and students came together to celebrate individual success.
This year also saw our Spring Lane campus hosting competitions for Animal Management and Horticulture students for the first time too. Staff at the campus worked tirelessly before the big day to ensure everything was ready and animals were prepped before the arrival of their competitors from North Kent (Hadlow) College. Efforts paid off as our students placed Gold in both competitions, representing our Landbased, Environmental and Animal Care courses admirably.
Jacob Loveridge | Bricklaying
On Wednesday, Jacob’s journey to the North Kent College, Gravesend campus was not in vain as he brought home the Gold medal for Bricklaying. The Apprentice was tasked with constructing an English bond wall with a pier and a decorative panel in the middle.
Whilst working hard to complete his wall, he told us: “The build’s been interesting and challenging which has kept me on my toes. It’s nice to use new materials and experience a different workshop than Canterbury. I’m enjoying the day, and it’s nice to have the support of my tutor who’s come along with me today.”
Yulia Mckinley | Beauty
Adult learner, Yulia took part in the Beauty Therapy – Body competition, completing a back massage and an advanced facial complete with consultation, skin prep and a demonstration of safe working practices. Yulia excelled, picking up a Bronze award for her efforts. She commented: “I have enjoyed taking part in the competition today.
“To start with it was a little bit stressful, knowing there were lots of people around, and judges watching you closely but I soon realised I just needed to focus on what I was doing and forget everyone around me.
“I think this is actually a very good experience, you get to build your confidence ready for the future.”
Joseph Mills | Public Services
Joseph was amongst a larger team of 12 Public Service students who took Gold for their efforts throughout the day. Each team was judged as they completed a variety of tasks testing navigation skills, communication and teamwork, fitness and army drills.
Upon collecting his medal, Joseph told us: “I really enjoyed today. It was nice, having all the other Colleges involved as well. We got to talk to the students and get to know them a little more so it was a very friendly environment.
“There was actually a three-way tie in the end, so we were asked one final tie-break question and luckily our team got the closest answer. Our team were so happy when we found out we won as we didn’t think it was going to happen for us. Hopefully we’ve made our lecturer proud.”
Abigail Dear | Animal Management
Abigail thoroughly enjoyed her time competing. Working with her classmate, Emily, the girls were marked against animal handling, health checks, bandaging wounds and making appropriate enrichment resources for rats. Throughout the day the girls shone, receiving top marks and a Gold medal each.
We caught up with Abigail just after her first task of the day. Here’s what she had to say: “We’ve just completed bandaging and first aid. We did it in a veterinary setting, simulating a dog having a cut on its leg or its paw. We had to bandage it up and ensure it was clean and sanitary.
“I think it went well. The room was very quiet, so it was quite nerve-wracking to begin with but I’m enjoying it. We’ll also be doing animal handling and health checks with the real animals later so that will be more of a challenge but I’m excited. I love having any opportunity I can to work with animals.”
Staff were also full of praise for the students’ efforts and the event. During the Creative competition held at MidKent College, we spoke with Zoran Tesic, Head of Media, Music and Performing Arts, who said: “This competition is a very good tradition that we’ve now had for several years, and I’ve been fortunate enough to be involved in all of them.
“Firstly, it’s great that as a county we come together, students can get to know each other, see different campuses and how learn from one another, and staff can network too. But most importantly, it’s a great way to show off our students and the work they produce.
“I’m excited to watch the competition grow in the coming years, and hope we can continue to add extra categories so that we can showcase our students and recognise their hard work.”
EKC Canterbury College medallists
| Result/Position | Student Name | Skills Competition |
| Gold | Jacob Loveridge | Bricklaying |
| Gold | Ollie Hellyer | Electrical Installation |
| Gold | Foundation 1 | Inclusive Learning |
| Gold | Lois French | Health and Social Care |
| Gold | Group 4 | Public Services |
| Gold | Thomas Harper-Cox | Graphic Design |
| Gold | Mia Coleman | Fashion and Photographic Make Up |
| Gold | Alice Peters | Media Make Up – Body |
| Gold | Abigail Dear, Emily Novozilova | Animal Management |
| Joint Gold | Lucy Goodwin | Horticulture |
| Silver | Holly Blyth | Beauty Therapy – Body |
| Silver | Izzy Santer, Max Williams, Sam Reed | Business |
| Bronze | Mia Greenhalgh | Acting |
| Bronze | Georgie Morris | Performing Arts |
| Bronze | Group 2 | Public Services |
| Bronze | Foundation 2 | Inclusive Learning |
| Bronze | Yulia Mckinley | Beauty Therapy – Body |
KFE4Skills aims to celebrate technical excellence and prepare students for industry careers. The live skills competitions are an opportunity for students to demonstrate the skills and knowledge they have acquired during their course with judges choosing the top three in each category. Participants gain valuable experience they can put on their CV and finalists can progress to regional and national competitions. such as WorldSkills UK.
This year, we’re proud that WorldSkills UK has endorsed the KFE4Skills competition, supporting our students and Apprentices to develop the high-level skills employers are looking for.
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 and everyone involved in hosting competitions on campus.
Lucy McLeod, Deputy CEO of East Kent Colleges Group said about the benefits of KFE4Skills: “Across the UK it’s quite unique to find three different College groups who work so closely together. As part of this collaboration, we work with MidKent and North Kent College’s, with this skills competition being just one part of that partnership.
“Preparing for these competitions is a really good life skill. The confidence you can see that grows in the students when they win is fantastic.”
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