EKC Canterbury College students achieve gold at KFE4Skills Construction heats

Technical skills were on full display as EKC Canterbury College students achieved a clean sweep in their categories at the recent KFE4Skills Construction heats, hosted by EKC Folkestone College.

Competing in both bricklaying and carpentry, our students secured first and second place finishes in each of the divisions they entered, marking a standout performance for the College.

The competition challenged students to complete complex practical tasks to an industry standard. These included building a roof section with an angled gable end and a brick wall featuring decorative ’26’ detailing. These heats will act as the qualifier for the final competition against other Kent Further Education (KFE) Colleges, including MidKent and North Kent College next month at the KFE4 Skills competition.

Chris, Head of Construction, was on hand to support his students, telling us: “Our students are doing really well. The senior competitors have made incredible progress on their tasks, which are complex to complete in a single day. I hope they take real pride in what they’ve built and gain a sense of achievement from the high standards they have reached.”

Beyond the technical requirements, the event also highlighted the importance of other skills like time management and resilience. These competitions encourage students to push themselves beyond the classroom. They can help them build the confidence needed to stand out in a competitive job market.

Level 2 Carpentry and Joinery apprentice, Callum Jennings, impressed the judges with his technical ability, gaining top marks and a gold medal. He highlighted the teamwork and technical skill required for the win, commenting: “The task involved an angled gable roof with compound cuts. It might look simple on the plans, but it’s actually very complex, especially when working by hand. My teammate is strong with CAD, so he helped calculate all the angles. Our performance today really shows the importance of teamwork.

“My main goal was to win and to prove my ability. Adam [who also came second] and I were chosen from a group of 20 other apprentices. It felt good to be selected, and I’m proud to represent the College.”

The work was assessed by a panel of industry experts, including Chris Stone, Manager of Park Farm Joinery. Chris was impressed by the quality of work on show, saying: “Judging today was a challenge at first because all of the students were very good. In the initial marking-out stages, it was very close between them. They all showed a strong level of experience in the tasks they were set.

“I think competitions like this give students a real boost. They enjoy the experience and the friendly rivalry between themselves. When I was a student here, there was always that level of competition among friends, and I think that’s very healthy.”

The day concluded with an awards ceremony. College Principal, Clare Brown, joined department heads to present winners with industry-standard equipment and gift vouchers provided by our sponsors.

For our students, this competition provided a vital confidence boost as they prepare to represent the College and the wider Group at the finals next month.

EKC Canterbury College Medal Table