Apprentice wins bronze at WorldSkills Kazan

A Coleg Sir Gâr apprentice has achieved global recognition as she won a bronze medal for hairdressing at WorldSkills, Kazan, 2019.

Phoebe McLavy, 20, from Carmarthen, travelled to Russia to compete in the global skills Olympics as part of Team UK, representing Great Britain within her skills sector.

Training to be selected for Team UK and being part of the squad is an intensive and rigorous process which prepares participants for world-class competition.

Phoebe’s medal was one of four medals won by Team UK this year.

She has been supported by college tutor Adrienne Chick, her employer Morgan Edward salon in Carmarthen, WorldSkills UK and the Welsh Government funded project, Inspiring Skills Excellence in Wales.

Following the competition and award ceremony, Phoebe told WorldSkills UK: “It feels amazing and it’s been a long journey it feels wonderful to say that I have this medal to represent all the hard work that’s gone into this success.”

Edward Rees, owner at Morgan Edward has supported Phoebe through her competition journey and providing training at his salon. He said: “Phoebe is a highly qualified and talented member of the UK squad and as a salon we have committed time and energy into her development and now have an asset in Phoebe and I would urge other employers to guide their staff down this exciting career path.”

Sarah Hopkins, director of recruitment and progression at Coleg Sir Gâr said: “The college is delighted at Phoebe's success, she's worked tremendously hard.

“We think she is an inspiration to her skills sector as well as to others aspiring to be the best they can be.

“She's a true role model.”