01550 760400To make Skills Week as prestigious as possible for our learners, we’ve compiled a team of expert judges to review achievements, and award prizes. Working closely with partner organisations and our own expert team, we’ve found some fantastic people, who’ll have the final say on who wins what.
Inclusive Skills - Animal Care
David Jones
ALN Transition Coordinator
Pembrokeshire College
David supports learners into college and then on into their next steps in life – making sure they have all the support they need. David has worked in schools and colleges for 15 years, and in recent years has been instrumental in making sure inclusive lives skills (ILS) competitions are accessible to ALN learners. He has also been responsible for creating and hosting ILS skills competitions in Pembroke College.
Mike Butcher
Life Skills Academy, Senior Lecturer
Pembrokeshire College
Mike has coached many learners to success in Inclusive Horticulture competitions. He is well known for the work he does teaching people of all ages and abilities to ride horses. Mike has over 25 years experience and has won a prestigious award as FE Lecturer of the Year!
Inclusive Skills - Snip & Stitch
Anna Morgan
Weaver
Anna is a weaver and textile artist, using woven cloth and stitch to produce art inspired by nature, land and seascapes. She studied fine art at Swansea, and is a member of both the Tawe Guild of Weavers Spinners and Dyers and a textile art group. Anna has taught weaving and textile crafts for over 10 years, including running workshops at Victoria House, part of Elidyr Communities Trust.
Michael Puppa
Care Manager (& Local Craftsman)
Towy Valley Care
Prior to managing Towy Valley Care, Micheal worked on site for many years. He is an ideal judge for this competition as he makes clothing and accessories out of old Welsh blankets to sell at craft markets and local craft shops. He also has judging experience, as he used to judge equestrian competitions.
Inclusive Skills - First Aid
Steffano Ghiani
Inclusive Lives Work Area Leader
Elidyr Communities Trust
Steffano has nine years experience at Elidyr Communities Trust. Prior to this, he spent three years in the Italian paramilitary. During his time in the army he became an expert in first aid, basic life support, how to stabilise broken bones and taking care of injured soldiers in the field.
Kim Roach
Retired Nurse
Kim is a local resident who was happy to get involved with Skills Week! She was a nurse at Llandovery college, providing support to sick pupils in their medical centre, so she has lots of experience with young people.
Inclusive Skills - Stool Weaving
Becky Pask
Entrepreneurship & Employability Co-ordinator
Coleg Sir Gar & Coleg Ceredigion
Becky works closely between learners and the community. She believes passionately in the transformative power of education to change learners’ lives. In her role she has seen firsthand that as well as qualifications, learners need to leave education with skills to lead happy and successful lives.
Jem Moore
Marketing Coordinator (& Local Craftsman)
Elidyr Communities Trust
Jem is responsible for marketing at Elidyr Communities Trust and gets to see, celebrate and share learner achievement every working day. As well as his role with Elidyr Communities Trust, he is a skilled craftsman and expert wood turner.
Having a mixture of judges that are both known and new is a gentle way of exposing learners to the competitive process. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered their time to come to site and judge each competition.