This article is a bit different than the ones I have written before as I will talk about a personal event in my life, probably one of the most important moments. I will talk about my experience competing in WorldSkills 2021. 🙂
How it all started?
So during my first year at Weston College, I’ve had a unit where I have learned web development. I have never done web development before that point so everything there was new to me. I slowly started learning how to make a website with basic HTML with a lot of help from my lecturer, Jason Hill. He also helped me a lot to learn how CSS and JavaScript works on the web by also providing me with such powerful and most needed tools such as a hosting server.
As I was approaching the end of my first year, I needed to also start a work placement as it is a requirement to get my BTEC qualification and after a few applications, I found myself working in a place called Spacebar which creates websites for local businesses to make them more visible online. I have primarily used WordPress and pre-built themes and plugins at that workplace hence I did not quite enjoyed it so I got back to my lecturer and he said he is planning to run some PHP lessons. I have gone to a few lessons which driven up my interest in coding with PHP. This is also the moment when I got told about WorldSkills. At first I was told this would be a fun experience to learn so I signed up.
So it begins…
My lecturer took care of telling me everything I had to know to register such as the website. After I signed up, the first stage was to design a website using industry tools such as Photoshop or GIMP. I was very comfortable with making some designs on Photoshop (even though I do not like my designs) and after a few intense hours I have submitted it and forgot about it for a while until…
Stage 2
It was summer. I was focusing more on the workplace and enjoying the time with family when I got a text. The text said “You’ve qualified for the National Qualifiers”. I have also received an email saying I need to book a day when I will do the stage. This stage was the harder stage as during a 3-hour slot, a full website using HTML and CSS should be coded to be marked. I was worried as I did not touched anything relating to HTML and CSS.
After finishing the stage, I have just realised it was not that bad so I gained a bit more confidence in my skills in general.
Stage 3 – The National Finals
The second year of my course started. Everything was very calm for a few weeks and then I received a message from my lecturer. The message was letting me know that I had qualified further just because of a very small change in circumstances. During that period, I was not in the best place due to the fact that I was trying to quit my job as I did not enjoyed it as mentioned before and the second year which felt a bit overwhelming to me so I wanted to quit it just to have more time.
However after a lot of thinking and a lot of discussion and guidance with my lecturers and other people at Weston College which I feel so thankful that I had around during this time, I have decided to keep going for the experience and fun even though I may not get Top 4 to qualify further.
At first, I have started looking over the available information on WorldSkills website in order to get more ready. I have started re-experimenting with PHP in order to actually understand it (however I forgot most of it).
First day – Opening day
And then the day came. As the event was held in Weston-Super-Mare (where my college also is) I have decided to go there by train like usual. We’ve got everything set up like the hotel room as I would’ve not been able to commute every single day back and forth and afterwards I was invited to the opening ceremony.
When I firstly seen the whole setup, I think I can say I felt shocked and nervous but in a good way as I literally had no other words. It was my first ever experience being part of such a event especially the place we (competitors) had in the event. It felt truly magical.
The first day or rather night was more to introduce ourselves to each other so we can start talking and enjoying the time we’ve had even outside the competition. After the ceremony, we’ve slowly started talking at the first restaurant the organisers have invited us to. The first day was just to get everything started as the second and third day were when the actual competition would happen.
Second day – This is where the fun actually begins 🙂
The second day started and during this day we’ve had 2 scenarios to complete in 6 hours divided in 3-hours slots by a lunch break. The first scenario was fundamentally similar to what was done in the first stage as it was designing a website in Photoshop. The second scenario was also fundamentally similar to the second stage as it was creating a website using HTML and CSS. The first day felt pretty normal however I should say I still felt nervous about it all.
One other thing I really enjoyed about this experience is that after the work we had sort-of a team-building sessions if I can call them like that. We would go out around Weston and do all sorts of activities. The first planned activity was climbing.
This was the time we needed to wind down our minds from everything. It really felt amazing having these sorts of periods after constantly staying under pressure. After a few hours of climbing, we have gone to have our dinner and headed back to the hotel. During this time, I think most of us started feeling like part of group of colleagues or friends rather than “enemies” let’s say which was also great.
Third day – Last day
This is the last day, I was really nervous as I knew my skills in PHP and JavaScript would not be there as I stood up a bit later to go over some things in PHP. We’ve started the day with the front-end development scenario which was coding in JavaScript using jQuery. At the end of the first three hours slot, I have managed to deliver a functional product similar to the one requested in the scenario.
However when it came to PHP, I have came to the conclusion that my skills were very basic. Now that I think about it, it was obvious what the scenario would be about however I was not ready for it. I have tried things related to the scenario but no success. I have ended up turning in something non-functional and not even a lot changed from what was given at the start.
I would say that during this day, I have discovered what my strengths and weaknesses are relating to web development, working under pressure and even social skills.
I have firstly learn to not be afraid to experiment with things until something functional is created as I learn way more from creating things rather than passively looking or reading about it. I have also learned to work much better under time constraints as at first I was very afraid I would not be able to submit work in the 3 hours given.
After everything was done. There was the the closing ceremony.
This day was also the first time in my life getting a microphone and speaking to an audience present with me in the same room. I managed to thank everyone at Weston College especially my lecturer, Jason Hill, which took time to learn me web dev and also took time to guide me when I needed it the most.
During the closing ceremony, I have also met with a lot of high-profile figures such as the Director of Weston College, Dr. Paul Phillips and many people related to the tech industry in Weston to which I felt honoured to be able to see and talk in person.
Summary of the experience
In summary, I did enjoy every single moment spent and created during those three days. I did also enjoyed representing my college in the competition as well. It is indeed a once in a lifetime experience and I am so glad I have not quitted when I wanted to. I want to thank everyone in Weston College especially in the Computing department for all the support given! I would also thank my parents which has supported me in every single move.
Also to mention, I have also been posted by Weston College on their website and mentioned by the West of England Institute of Technology in an article about Jack Kimmins. The names of everyone competing was also present in a special supplement of The Daily Telegraph.
Lastly, I would like to end with saying to never give up on something you really like doing and it has been very nice meeting every one of you as part of WorldSkills! I would also recommend for anyone wanting to take part in WorldSkills to register and actually give it a try!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read it all! See you in the comments 🙂 If you still want to read articles written by me I have a few others posted about tech.
