Bronze for Brinsbury student at national competition

A Brinsbury College apprentice furniture-maker has won bronze at this month’s national skills finals.

Tom Knowles, a level 2 apprentice studying at the college employed by Petersfield Carpenters, came third in the cabinet-making category of the national finals of the WorldSkills UK competition, which saw more than 400 competitors battle it out across 60 different disciplines at 21 venues across the UK to be named the best in the country.
Christian Notley MBE, deputy head of learning at Brinsbury and Chichester Colleges and training manager for WorldSkills UK, said: “Tom put in a very solid performance in a very tough competition.

“Every year, this competition gets harder and, with learning so interrupted due to Covid-19, this year was no exception.

“So, to win a bronze medal is a fantastic achievement – it takes a lot of focus and determination to do well on the competition stage. To feature among the medalists means Tom is among the best in the country at what he does, which is not to be taken lightly.”

This is the latest success for the furniture department at Brinsbury College. As part of the Chichester College Group, the department was named as a Queen’s Anniversary Prize winner last week – chosen as one of only five further education institutes to be among 21 award winners.

Sally Challis-Manning MBE, Principal at Brinsbury College, said: “We are extremely proud of our furniture department across Chichester College Group.

“They are outstanding in what they do, and Tom’s bronze medal is yet another accomplishment for the team. They are the best of the best, and they work closely with our students to nurture their talent, give them confidence and help make their dreams come true.

“Congratulations to Tom and congratulations to the department. They are all winners in our eyes.”