Derbyshire’s first inter-college Skillsfest celebrates next gen talent

Taking place during national Colleges Week, a celebration of all things Further Education, the competition hosted students from Chesterfield College, Derby College and Burton and South Derbyshire College. A medal and trophy ceremony at the end of the day went to the winners:

• Brickwork – Winner: Chesterfield, Jack Harrison
• Joinery – Winner: Chesterfield, Maxim Somnic
• Plumbing – Winner: Derby, Sam Kerk
• Construction Multi Skills – Winner: Chesterfield, Layla Pickard-Fisher
• Electrical Installation – Winner: Derby, Nathan Burton
• Fabrication and Welding – Winner: Chesterfield, Harriet
• Mechanical Engineering – Milling – Winner: Chesterfield, Lewis Peat
• Mechanical Engineering – Turning – Winner: Derby, Alistair Barron
• Automotive – Winner: Derby , Archie Collins
• Business – Winner: Burton & South Derbyshire, Team BSDC
• Hairdressing – Winner: Chesterfield, Evie Ward
• Beauty Therapy – Winner: Burton & South Derbyshire, Elizabeth Sharrah
• Professional Cookery – Winner: Burton & South Derbyshire, Team Burton 1
• Sport – Winner: Derby, Derby College
• Public Services – Winner: Burton & South Derbyshire, BSDDT
• Travel – Winner: Burton & South Derbyshire, Cooper circuit
• Art and Design – Winner: Chesterfield, Oscar Clark
• Performing Arts – Winner: Burton & South Derbyshire, Burton 1
• Music – Winner: Derby, Willow Millard
• Media – Winner: Burton & South Derbyshire, Burton 1
• Games Design – Winner: Chesterfield, Elleana Mallen
• Health – Winner: Chesterfield, Team Chesterfield
• Childcare – Winner: Burton & South Derbyshire, Team Burton
• Digital – Winner: Burton & South Derbyshire, Will Banham
• Foundation Studies – Winner: Derby, Team Derby

All competitors demonstrated real talent, commitment and teamwork throughout the event, creating an atmosphere of collaboration and showcasing the very best of further education. Tallying scores from each category, Chesterfield College emerged as overall winners of the competition.

Julie Richards OBE, Principal and CEO, Chesterfield College Group, explains “To host the first ever competition of this annual Skillsfest is a massive honour and I’m delighted, not just with how well today has gone, but also with how well each competitor has represented their college, they really are testament to the amazing further education sector. To see so many unbelievable skills from the next generation on display all at once was something to behold and is so inspiring to see the upcoming talent pool in every sector.”

Heather Kelly, Deputy CEO at Derby College Group, said:
“Days like Skillsfest truly capture what further education is all about. Our students have demonstrated not only exceptional technical ability, but also resilience, professionalism and pride in their craft. To see them competing alongside their peers from across the region, pushing themselves and supporting one another, has been incredibly inspiring.

Competitions like this give students the chance to showcase their talents in a real-world environment, build confidence, and recognise just how far they have come. We are immensely proud of every Derby College student who took part today. They represent the future workforce of our region, and the future is in very safe hands.”
A big thank you to the sponsors of the competition, City and Guilds and the Northern Council for Further Education (NCFE) for providing a wide range of prizes for winners.

Well done to every student who took part, you really should be so proud of your performance, attitude and abilities. In addition a big thank you goes out to every member of dedicated staff at each college for making today’s event a success and for helping to support every student to perform to the best of their abilities.
We look forward to meeting again in 2027 for a rematch!