Learners from across NCG’s colleges have showcased exceptional talent, determination and industry‑ready skills in a wide range of regional and national competitions this year.

From construction to hair and beauty, and maths to digital and hospitality, students have competed at every level – from local inter‑college events through to prestigious national finals – gaining invaluable experience and delivering outstanding results.

Skills competitions are now a core part of the NCG student experience and central to the NCG Guarantee, giving learners the opportunity to push themselves, gain industry recognition and build the confidence needed to succeed in their future careers.

At the heart of this is NCG Skills, the group’s flagship intercollege competition, designed to give more learners than ever access to high-quality, industry‑focused challenges.

Learners from six colleges took part in local heats, with top performers progressing to the finals at Kidderminster College. The event brought students together from across the country to compete, collaborate and showcase their talents in front of industry professionals, playing a key role in widening participation and raising aspirations.

Success on the National Stage

NCG learners have also made a strong impact in national industry competitions.

In SkillBuild UK, learners from Carlisle College and Newcastle College secured multiple first and second place finishes at regional qualifiers. Two Newcastle College students have progressed to the national finals in November:

  • Brooklyn Smith (Roof Slating and Tiling)
  • Ellie Fox (Painting and Decorating)

In hair and beauty, students achieved outstanding success in the Association of Hairdressers and Therapists (AHT) competitions.

West Lancashire College delivered an exceptional performance at the regional event, achieving a clean sweep of first, second and third place in the beauty therapy category, alongside additional podium finishes.

Newcastle College built on this success at the national finals in Blackpool, where Level 3 Hairdressing student Lee Wright was named Outstanding Student of the Year, with his classmates securing six additional top‑four finishes.

Five NCG colleges also competed in WorldSkills UK regional qualifiers across 14 categories. While no learners progressed to the national finals this year, their performance highlighted the consistently high standards across NCG, with students demonstrating impressive skill, professionalism and commitment.

Strong Regional Performance

This success continued across regional and intercollege competitions.

Newcastle College achieved an impressive 16 wins across inter‑college events, while West Lancashire College secured first, second and third place finishes in the Lancashire Colleges competition.

Learners also excelled in the MEI Further Education Maths Challenge, progressing through regional heats to national finals. Newcastle College and Newcastle Sixth Form College each won their regions, joined by Kidderminster College in the West Midlands. West Lancashire College placed third in the North West, while Southwark College secured second place in London.

Steve Wallis, Executive Director of Quality at NCG, said:

“Skills competitions are an important part of our student experience. They allow learners to develop their skills, test themselves against national standards and demonstrate they can succeed in industry.

“In a digital world where AI is increasingly influencing assessment, there is nothing more authentic than a skills competition. It provides a genuine test of practical competence and resilience, particularly under pressure and in front of industry judges.

“We designed NCG Skills to give more learners the chance to showcase their abilities and connect with peers and employers across the country. As a national group, we are uniquely able to offer this scale of opportunity.

“Competitions build confidence, motivation and future opportunities, including progression to WorldSkills pathways. While we celebrate our winners, every learner benefits from the preparation, discipline and resilience these experiences develop.”

This year’s results highlight not only the talent and dedication of NCG students, but also the strength of partnerships with employers and industry professionals – ensuring learners are equipped with the skills, confidence and ambition to succeed.