Chris named the best in Kent

A MidKent College student has been named the best trainee joiner in Kent following a county-wide construction crafts challenge.

21 year old Chris Ward joined prize winning students from across the region for the annual Skilled Up (Best in Kent) competition. Learners from MidKent College, Canterbury College, Thanet College, South and West Kent College and North West Kent College all participated in the hands-on challenge, which sought to find Kent’s best trainee bricklayers, carpenters, joiners and decorators.  

Mr Ward, who works as an apprentice at Denne Joinery and attends MidKent College’s Maidstone Campus one day a week, nabbed first place in the joinery element of the competition. He was accompanied by fellow MidKent students Matt Stringer, Dave Mercer and Liam Riley, all of whom also nabbed prizes.

The talented joiner was thrilled with his achievement: “I think I may have found my vocation,” he said. “I won another joinery competition earlier this year, so this is the icing on the cake. It feels great to know that your skills are appreciated,” he added. 

College head of faculty for Design and Construction Crafts, Teresa Murray, said: “Our students have shown what excellent craftspeople they have become. All of the prizes they have won throughout the year are a tribute to their talent and dedication to learning new skills.

“I am hugely proud of them and their teachers, who have taught them so well and encouraged them to believe in themselves.”

The annual inter-college Skilled Up challenge aims to prepare students for the international World Skills competition in 2012 and is sponsored by Wates Construction Group and power tools manufacturer Makita UK.