A 19-year-old from Cwmbran has won a gold medal in the IT network final of a national skills competition.

Backed by the Welsh Government through the European Social Fund, Skills Competition Wales is a series of events held in colleges across the country, designed to celebrate vocational skills and create highly skilled, talented employees for the Welsh workforce.

Nathaniel Brown, 19, spent two hours competing against nine other students from across Wales in a series of IT challenges.

The competitors were tasked with various challenges, including setting up Windows servers.

Mr Brown said: “The IT network competition involved a lot of preparation and included setting up Windows servers and configuration – I’m so surprised to have won!

“I’ve always been interested in this subject and its career path and I would like to learn more about it in the future.

“From the competition, I was able to build my knowledge and test my skills, meaning I came away having learnt so much from one day.”

More than 40 competitions are taking place this year, across a wide range of different vocations, from forensic science and fashion technology to 3D game and food preparation.

Those who are successful may then go on to be shortlisted for the UK Squad, competing against the world’s most talented young people at the WorldSkills international final in Shanghai, China, in 2021.

Minister for Economy and Transport, Ken Skates said: “Skills Competition Wales is such an important event, allowing multi-talented young people the length and breadth of Wales to put their skills to the test, building on their excellence and experiences across various fields with the opportunity to then progress and compete at UK national and international level.

“It’s also an opportunity to show the breadth of talent we have here in Wales and to celebrate the Welsh companies who are nurturing and reaping the rewards of such highly skilled, talented employees.

"Ensuring Wales has the skills needed for economic success has long been a priority for me personally and for the Welsh Government more broadly and it’s fantastic to see skills acknowledged in this way.

“I would like to say well done to everyone who has competed this year and add my congratulations to Nathaniel on his brilliant achievement.

"Best of luck to Nathaniel in the next stage of the competition and I look forward to seeing him prosper in his future career.”

Find out more at: www.skillscompetitionwales.ac.uk