Skills Competitions 2025
Sign-up now to enter competitions to showcase your vocational and creative skills.
Students have the opportunity to demonstrate their talents in hospitality, retail, performing arts and horticulture as part of Derwen College’s 2025 competitions event to be held in March, in partnership with Elidyr Communities Trust.
The competitions are open to students aged 16–25, and who are working at up to Level 1 in mainstream or specialist colleges or schools.
Take part and showcase your skills
Taking part in the competitions is a great way for students to demonstrate their skills and readiness for work and independence.
We are privileged to have the facilities and industry connections at Derwen College to run competitions enabling students to showcase their skills.
These events bring together students from a variety of schools and colleges to compete in a professional way and demonstrate learning and employability skills.
Why take part in competitions?
Which competitions are taking place at Derwen College?
The following competitions will take place in a live final at Derwen College on Friday 28 March 2025.
Horticulture: Eco Challenge: quiz, identification task, and bug hotel building
Group – up to three students working at Entry Level 2, Entry Level 3 or Level 1.
Hospitality: Table laying
Individual competition for students working at Entry Level 3 or below.
Housekeeping: Bed making
Paired competition for students working at Entry Level 3 or below.
Performing Arts: Open performance
Solo performance
Group performance
For students working at Entry Level 3 or below.
Retail: Visual Merchandising
Group – up to three students working at Entry Level 3 or below.
Which competitions are taking place at Elidyr Communities Trust?
The following competitions will take place in a live final at Elidyr Communities Trust on Thursday 27 March 2025.
Animal Care
Individual competition – for students age 18–25, working at Pre-Entry Level, towards Level 1.
Catering
Individual competition – for students age 18–25, working at Pre-Entry Level, towards Level 1.
First Aid
Individual competition – for students age 18–25, working at Pre-Entry Level, towards Level 1.
Woodwork
Individual competition – for students age 18–25, working at Pre-Entry Level, towards Level 1.
Key dates
Application deadline: Friday 14 February 2025
Successful entries informed by: Monday 24 February 2025
Live final at Elidyr Communities Trust: Thursday 27 March 2025
Live final at Derwen College: Friday 28 March 2025
How to apply
Have a look at the briefs for each Derwen College competition (scroll down the page).- Ensure your students are working at the right level for each competition to apply.
- Apply via the online form.
For competitions taking place at Elidyr Communities Trust, please visit their website.