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Three Goldsmiths’ Company apprentices have topped the medals table in the Fine Jewellery Making category at The Skills Show.
The event, held at the NEC, Birmingham from 16-18 November, brought together young tradespeople and the next generation of skilled professionals.
Jewellery Making category finalists included apprentices as well as students from the School of Jewellery, Birmingham City University. In order to reach the finals, all involved had to attend and go through open selection events in London and Birmingham earlier this year.
The Goldsmiths’ Company Apprenticeship Scheme’s Samuel McMahon at Mappin and Webb won a gold medal, Luke Blackie at Mandos Jewellery of London took home silver, and Robert Dean at Garrard & Co was awarded bronze after turning a 2D jewellery design into a 3D piece in 15 hours.
Finalists were tested in a temporary workshop environment and were scored on their jewellery making ability to saw a piece out, solder, make to specific dimensions, surface finish and complete on time.
Dr. Neil Bentley, CEO of WorldSkills UK, said: “This has been a wonderful showcase for UK skills. The competition was fierce and the standards very high – all the finalists have done brilliantly well just to get this far. All their hard work and dedication has been rewarded and we at WorldSkills UK salute you.”
