National test for prize decorator

Staff and students at West Nottinghamshire College are rooting for former painting and decorating student Stefan Hubble who will be putting his creativity to the test in the finals of the WorldSkills UK competitions at The Skills Show.

Stefan, 27, completed his level three diploma in painting and decorating and diploma in decorative finishing courses in June this year.

Having competed at the Crown Trade Apprentice Decorator of the Year competition heats, he succeeded alongside eight other students and will now have the chance to compete for the national title and a £1,000 first prize.

The competition takes place at the Birmingham NEC from November 17-19 and it will be Stefan’s second time competing at the Skills Show.

Stefan, who works for Edwinstowe based decorators, Sharpline, said: “I’m excited to take part in the finals again this year but I’m starting to get nervous now it is fast approaching.

“Hopefully my family and employers will come and cheer me along like they did last year.

“I’m hoping for a decent result again.”

The results will be announced at the event in Birmingham on the Saturday evening (November 19), with finalists having a chance of being selected to represent Squad UK at the next WorldSkills – the world’s largest skills competition – in Abu Dhabi in October 2017.

Painting and decorating curriculum manager at West Nottinghamshire College, Dave Cope, said: “As a student, Stefan always put in the extra work to do well, especially when he was working towards a competition challenge.

“His attention to detail and determined attitude have seen him thrive under competition pressure and this same hard-work ethic is applied in his job with Sharpline Decorators.

“I wish him every success at The Skills Show and have every confidence in his abilities.”

WorldSkills UK Competitions aim to inspire apprentices and young people to be ambitious in their pursuit of skills excellence to help UK buiness compete internationally.