IT expert hopes for medal glory in Japan
Nov 7 2007 by Dave Black, The Journal
TWO computer experts from Northumberland are off to Japan to take part in an international competition known as the Olympic Games of vocational skills.
Andrew Critchlow, 22, a network technician at Bedlingtonshire High School, will be medal-hunting as part of the 23-strong British team competing at the 39th WorldSkills contest in Shizuoka, in the shadow of Mount Fuji.
He will be accompanied by Jen Bell, a curriculum manager from the Northumberland College in Ashington, who will be acting as one of the senior judges in next week’s four-day event.
More than 800 young people, aged 16 to 22 and from 48 different countries, will test themselves against tough standards in 47 vocational skills with the aim of lifting gold, silver and bronze medals.
The UK team is competing in 23 of the 47 categories, which include everything from dressmaking and beauty therapy to joinery and bricklaying. Andrew will take on 20 rival IT experts in his hardware and software and ICT networking challenge.
Jen, who has been involved in the IT/PC/network support category since 1998, will be one of the judges, but is prevented from assessing Andrew.
Yesterday she said: “WorldSkills is all about raising the status and standard of vocational skills across the globe and has a history stretching back more than 50 years. It’s a great honour for me and Northumberland College to represent the UK at this prestigious event.
“I was delighted to put Andrew forward for the national competition, and it’s an exciting opportunity for him to test his skills against the best the rest of the world can offer in Japan.”
Andrew, from West Sleekburn near Bedlington, said: “I’m very lucky to have been given this opportunity and really looking forward to the competition.”
