Two students from Wigan & Leigh College enjoyed huge success as they progressed into the national heats of the World Skills

Health and Social Care competition.

Molly Evans and Jane Woodall study on the Pre-Degree Nursing programme at the College’s Centre of Excellence in Health & Social Care and are triple distinction star students who are progressing onto prestigious universities to study BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing.

The pair fended off hundreds of other competitors to reach the national heats at the NEC in Birmingham on November 18th with the World finals being held in Russia, September 2019.

Molly was elated to discover that her score won her top spot in her respective heat and was the highest scorer after three rounds of heats (with just two to go).

She said: “I didn’t think it was real. It was so exciting and I was very shocked to win – I was over the moon especially because the standard of competition was really high and the day was very tense.”

The former Lathom High School pupil highlighted how amazing it was to learn new skills as well as showcasing their abilities and getting to work with other students from around the country at the event.

Jane, a former Culcheth High School pupil, also made the final after scoring highly to finish runner-up behind her classmate.

She added: “I didn’t think I’d done that well but my communication skills must have come through - I was ecstatic and overjoyed to finish second.”

Health & Social Care is the largest employment sector in the borough across a range of occupations, many of which are highly skilled.

The College has developed a strong partnership with Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust through the development and delivery of the Pre-Degree Nursing programme and a range of clinical care apprenticeships.

Head of Department for Health & Social Care, Kendra Chant said: “I am absolutely delighted that Molly & Jane did so well. They are a credit to the College and the Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust who have both worked very hard in preparing them for the competition but more importantly, their future progression as Adult Nurses.

“They represent the excellent calibre of student enrolled on Health & Social Care and Nursing programmes here at the College. I am excited to see how they progress and develop, and wish them every success for the future.”

The pair are in a strong position to progress to the national finals and will find out shortly, but it is evident to see that their knowledge and skills will be beneficial to local hospitals in the near future.