SECG celebrates outstanding success at inaugural FEDEC Inter-College Skills Competition

South Essex Colleges Group (SECG) has enjoyed an outstanding week of success after taking part in the inaugural Federation of Essex Colleges (FEDEC) Inter-College Skills Competition, a landmark event celebrating technical excellence and collaboration across the county.

Working alongside Chelmsford College, Colchester Institute, USP College and Harlow College, SECG proudly contributed to this WorldSkills UK-endorsed programme, which aims to raise standards, inspire learners and drive a positive cultural shift within further education across Essex.

Students competed across a wide range of subject areas, including Health & Social Care, Hair & Beauty, Electrical Installation, Plumbing, Bricklaying, Engineering, Digital, Science and Catering & Hospitality. Throughout the competition, learners demonstrated exceptional technical ability, professionalism and a clear commitment to excellence.

SECG hosted five competitions across its campuses:

• Bricklaying at Basildon College – Stephenson Road Campus
• Engineering at Basildon College – Luckyn Lane Campus
• Catering & Hospitality at Thurrock College
• Digital at Basildon College – Centre for Digital Technologies
• Science at Southend City College

SECG students also competed off-site, taking part in Hair and Beauty at Chelmsford College, Plumbing at Colchester Institute and Health and Social Care at USP College.

Delivered through FEDEC, the Inter-College Skills Competition is the first initiative of its kind to be jointly developed by Essex colleges. The programme was formally endorsed by WorldSkills UK through its Local Skills Competition Endorsement Framework, recognising the competition’s high quality and its impact on learner development, confidence and progression.

The competition concluded with an Awards Ceremony hosted by USP College at its Immersive Theatre, Seevic Campus in Benfleet. Students, staff and partners from across Essex gathered to celebrate technical skill, student ambition and the strength of collaboration within further education.

SECG is incredibly proud to announce that its learners achieved an impressive range of awards, including seven golds.

SECG Award Winners:

• Gold – Bricklaying: Ronnie Cooper and Shannon Downs
• Gold – Digital: Logith Prathees, Kishopika Prathees and Harrison James Catchpole
• Gold – Engineering: Katie Day and Max Kimmings
• Silver – Catering: Ashton Burke-Smith
• Bronze – Catering: Samuel Baker
• Bronze – Science: James Strubel
• Bronze – Health & Social Care: Thomas Cauch and Lexie De Souza

Deputy Chief Executive – Curriculum and Quality, Adam Fahey, said: “We are incredibly proud of all our learners. Events like this provide a wonderful opportunity for students to put their skills into practice, gain confidence, and benchmark themselves against peers from across the county. All the winners and participants should be extremely proud of their achievements. This success reflects not only their talent and commitment, but also the high-quality teaching and support they receive. Competitions such as these highlight the real-world relevance of diverse disciplines and play a vital role in preparing learners for successful futures in their chosen industries.”

The ceremony was attended by Christian Notley MBE from WorldSkills UK, who praised the initiative, saying: “WorldSkills UK is incredibly proud to be endorsing this competition. The colleges have truly showcased what can be achieved through skills competitions and how they can drive standards and promote excellence within further education. I am very happy to be here.”

The FEDEC Inter-College Skills Competition has set a powerful precedent for collaboration across Essex, and SECG looks forward to building on this success in future years.