A Bridgend College student is preparing to compete in the WorldSkills UK National Finals this November after overcoming nerves and self-doubt.
When Tegan Thomas from Bridgend, first considered entering WorldSkills UK, the biggest hurdle was not the technical demands of her Health and Social Care Course at Bridgend College. It was her own internal monologue.
"I lack confidence in many things, and I wanted to do something out of my comfort zone to see how I would handle and cope with everything," Tegan admits.
"When I first got involved, I was very nervous because I had never done anything like that before. I kept thinking that I wouldn't be good enough to compete, and I didn't think I would even get past the first stage."
Driven by a determination to succeed and with encouragement and support from her tutor Rachel Fronwen, Tegan adopted a simple mindset of: “Be the best that you can be.”
Tegan progressed through the competition, eventually securing a place in the WorldSkills UK National Finals. She said; "Rachel has been by my side through it all since the very start.She came with me to the regionals in Newtown where I competed in front of judges. With her help, I soon left my nerves behind and focused on what I needed to do."
Commenting on Tegan’s transformation, Claire George, Industry Partnerships and Social Value Lead at Bridgend College, highlighted the impact of seeing learners thrive on this stage: "Watching our students embark on their WorldSkills journey is a privilege. They start with a spark of potential and finish with a level of confidence and skill that is truly inspiring. At Bridgend College, seeing that shift from ordinary to extraordinary is what we do brilliantly."
Tegan’s growth reflects the core mission of the Inspiring Skills Excellence in Wales project.
Paul Evans, Project Director for Inspiring Skills Excellence in Wales, said Tegan's experience demonstrated the wider benefits of taking part in skills competitions. "Tegan’s journey perfectly illustrates how skills competitions go beyond technical capability. By stepping out of her comfort zone, overcoming self-doubt, and committing to excellence in Health and Social Care, she embodies the ambition and resilience we aim to nurture across Wales.”
Reflecting on how far she has come, Tegan said: "Looking back at the start, I was a shy and nervous individual who had no confidence at all,. Now I have the confidence to speak out to others and share my experiences. From one nervous individual to another, I would tell anyone thinking about taking part that they have nothing to lose. Being nervous is completely normal, but this competition has helped shape me as an individual, and it can help shape them too."
Beyond technical proficiency, taking part in skills competitions has provided Tegan with essential transferable skills, including improved communication, problem-solving, and time management. More than that, it has given her a clear long-term target: representing Wales as part of Team UK at WorldSkills Aichi, Japan 2028.
For more information on skills competitions in Wales and how to start your own journey, visit https://inspiringskills.gov.wales/.