Computing students strike Gold at WorldSkills competition

Two Glasgow Clyde College computing students have struck gold at the regional heats of a competition designed to recognise and reward the most skilled students in the world.

Robert Moss, who studies HND Computer Networking at Glasgow Clyde College, beat stiff competition to bring home a gold medal for 'Network Infrastructure Technician' from the regional heats of the renowned WorldSkills Competition, which is commonly considered to be the skills equivalent of the Olympics.

The 18-year-old is now in the running to compete at the UK finals of the competition, which will take place at the country’s largest skills and careers event later this year. The Skills Show, which takes place at The NEC in Birmingham in November, is an annual event attended by more than 70,000 spectators and industry professionals.

Robert, who hopes to gain employment as a Network Administrator or Technician, said: “The competition was split into two parts and took place over one day. We basically had to make a working website from scratch. I was nervous beforehand but I had spent a lot of time practising so I felt quite prepared. I couldn’t believe it when they announced that I’d won – it was the best feeling and definitely made all the hard work I’d put in worth it.

“I actually attended The Skills Show in Birmingham last year but I wasn’t competing. It’s a huge event and being able to see it in person really motivated me to take part this year. I’ll find out I’ve secured a place at the UK finals later this summer.”

Thirty students from across Glasgow and other parts of Scotland competed in the regional heats of the competition, which were held at Glasgow Clyde College. HND Interactive Media student Robin Wilkie also won Gold in the 'Web Design' category, with HND Computer Science student Robert MacFarlane taking silver.

Kevin Maclean, Senior Computing Lecturer at Glasgow Clyde College, said: “Competing in WorldSkills is a great opportunity for our students as it gives them a chance to showcase all the skills they have learnt during their college course. Robert has done extremely well and having this on his CV will look great to employers in future.

“Some of the biggest employers in the world attend The Skills Show in Birmingham so it’s as much about networking as it is about competing. Glasgow Clyde College students have been involved in WorldSkills for several years, and have previously won silver medals at The Skills Show, which is a huge achievement.”