THREE students from Pembrokeshire College’s MITEC School of Marine and Industrial Engineering, based in Milford Haven, are through to the semi-finals of the prestigious SkillWeld UK competition.

Kieran Griffiths, Leah Palmer and Josh Tuson, from Haverfordwest, completed their test pieces using the four main welding materials in the passive heats, and will be able to demonstrate their skills further at the semi-final in July.

College lecturer Jo Bradshaw is eager for the three to showcase their skills.

“It would be great for them to reach the final like past students have done over the last seven years," she said.

"They’ve definitely got the skills so they just need to show the judges what they’re capable of.”

Held in Neath Port Talbot College, the semi-final will call for competitors to create a 6G pipe full stick, an aluminium pipe to plate, an overhead stainless fillet and a vertical mag fillet.

Getting through the semi-final will allow them to compete on a national stage along with other trainees and be seen by multi-million pound companies such as Rolls Royce.

Kieran said: “I know that not many colleges manage to reach the final but we’re all really keen to take part as it’s such an important competition in the welding industry.”

Previous MITEC student Orry Franklin has also reached the regional final of the Construction Metal competition in June.

If you would like to find out more about where welding could take you, visit pembs.ac.uk/courses.