An electronics student from Ystrad Mynach College has made it through to the finals of a prestigious UK skills competition.
Lewis Clarke, 19, from Penallta, has won a place in the final of the World Skills UK competition to be held at the NEC in Birmingham.
The teen has just started the second year of his two year extended national diploma in electronic and electrical engineering.
The former St Martin’s pupil said: “I’m really looking forward to going to the final. For the competition, we’ll be doing programming and designing circuit boards as well.
“I first got interested in it at school and I really enjoyed doing the work. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else now.
“There is lots of maths and theoretical work to study as well as practical work.”
The World Skills UK competition is part of the Skills Show – the UK’s biggest skills and careers event held annually – and is being held this year from November 15 to 17.
To reach the finals, Lewis competed at a regional heat in Swansea where he completed a number of challenges which involved building and testing circuits for the judges.
Once he completes his college course, Lewis hopes to go to university to continue his studies in electronics and eventually find a job in the field.
And it seems Lewis’ interest in all things electrical runs in the family as his brother Jordan, 17, is due to start on the same course at Ystrad Mynach in September. He also has a younger brother Nathan, five.
Course tutor Corinne Hey said: “Lewis has worked really hard all year on his practical skills and theory which were a great combination to get into the final.
“He deserves every success and we wish him all the best for the final and for his university studies and beyond.”
College Principal Bryn Davies said: “We are delighted that Lewis has got through to the national final of the World Skills UK competition. He has worked extremely hard in his first year and a place in the final is the icing on the cake.
“It is also testament to his tutors who have taught him so well as it is no mean feat to make it through to the finals of this prestigious competition.”