Culinary arts apprentice encourages young people to enter UK’s largest Skills competition
Culinary arts apprentice Sam Everton says competing at WorldSkills UK improved his career options and is now encouraging others to register for the UK’s largest skills competition.
Sam, a 19-year-old from Cardigan, studied a Culinary Arts apprenticeship at Pembrokeshire College after discovering a passion for catering during his GCSEs. His college lecturer noticed Sam’s talents and encouraged him to apply for the WorldSkills competitions.
After demonstrating his skills, Sam was selected to compete at the UK Skills Show where he competed against individuals two years older than him to create unique dishes in timed scenarios.
To prepare for the competition, Sam trained in some of the UK’s top restaurants with Michelin-starred chefs including James Sommerin and Gidleigh Park in Devon.
Following these experiences, he recently secured the position as chef de partie at Crwst – a new, casual dining venue in Cardigan.
He has also been named as part of the UK Squad with the possibility of competing in the WorldSkills international final in Kazan in 2019.
Sam said: “Taking part in the WorldSkills competitions really developed my understanding about food and increased my depth of culinary knowledge.
“I was given the chance to learn from the industry’s top chefs which was an incredible opportunity.
“I would strongly encourage people to enter WorldSkills UK as it’s a life changing experience that’s provided me with the confidence to go for opportunities like Crwst.”
WorldSkills UK inspires young people to be ambitious in their pursuit of skills to the highest level, and offers businesses a chance to benchmark and raise the skills of their workforce.
Backed by the Welsh Government through the European Social Fund, WorldSkills UK promotes the importance of developing a highly skilled workforce and world-class individuals.
Owner of Crwst Osian Jones, said: “There are not many 19-year-olds that have the same level of experience and culinary understanding as Sam, which is why we knew he’d be perfect for the chef de partie role with us.
“WorldSkills has been great for us as a business we’re able to promote the company through Sam’s achievements.
“We’re looking forward to supporting Sam as he continues his WorldSkills journey.”
Minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning, Eluned Morgan said: “WorldSkills is a fantastic opportunity for young people to develop and showcase their talents.
“The competitions really challenge the participants and help them to hone their techniques and become more skilled in their chosen area of expertise, just like Sam.
“Employers also benefit from WorldSkills as they gain highly-skilled and dedicated employees.
“I would encourage all young people to enter WorldSkills, as it’s a life-changing experience.”
Prentis celfyddydau coginio yn annog pobl ifanc i roi cynnig ar gystadleuaeth sgiliau fwyaf y DU
Mae Sam Everton, prentis celfyddydau coginio, yn dweud bod cystadlu yn WorldSkills UK wedi gwella ei opsiynau gyrfa ac mae’n awr yn annog eraill i gofrestru ar gyfer cystadleuaeth sgiliau fwyaf y DU.
Astudiodd Sam, myfyriwr 19 oed o Aberteifi, am brentisiaeth mewn Celfyddydau Coginio yng Ngholeg Sir Benfro ar ôl syrthio mewn cariad ag arlwyo yn ystod ei TGAU. Sylwodd ei ddarlithydd yn y coleg ar ddoniau Sam a’i annog i roi cynnig ar y cystadlaethau WorldSkills.
Ar ôl dangos ei sgiliau, dewiswyd Sam i gystadlu yn Sioe Sgiliau’r DU lle bu’n cystadlu yn erbyn unigolion ddwy flynedd yn hŷn nag ef i greu prydau unigryw o fewn amser penodol.
I baratoi ar gyfer y gystadleuaeth, hyfforddodd Sam mewn rhai o fwytai gorau’r DU gyda chogyddion sydd â sêr Michelin, gan gynnwys James Sommerin ac yn Gidleigh Park yn Nyfnaint.
Ar ôl y profiadau hyn, yn ddiweddar cafodd le fel ‘chef de partie’ yn Crwst – sef lleoliad bwyta hamddenol, newydd yn Aberteifi.
Mae hefyd wedi’i enwi fel rhan o Garfan y DU sydd â chyfle i gystadlu yn rownd derfynol ryngwladol WorldSkills yn Kazan yn 2019.
Meddai Sam: “Mae cystadlu mewn cystadlaethau WorldSkills wedi datblygu fy nealltwriaeth o fwyd ac wedi cyfoethogi fy ngwybodaeth am goginio.
“Cefais gyfle i ddysgu gan gogyddion gorau’r diwydiant – cyfle anhygoel.
“Byddwn yn annog pobl i roi cynnig ar WorldSkills UK gan ei fod yn brofiad a fydd yn newid eich bywyd a rhoddodd yr hyder i mi fanteisio ar gyfleoedd fel yr un a gefais gan Crwst.”
Mae WorldSkills UK yn ysbrydoli pobl ifanc i fod yn uchelgeisiol wrth geisio dysgu sgiliau i’r lefel uchaf ac yn cynnig y cyfle i fusnesau feincnodi a gwella sgiliau eu gweithlu.
Gyda chefnogaeth Llywodraeth Cymru drwy Gronfa Gymdeithasol Ewrop, mae WorldSkills UK yn hyrwyddo pwysigrwydd datblygu gweithlu medrus iawn ac unigolion o safon fyd-eang.
Meddai Osian Jones, perchennog Crwst: “Does dim llawer o bobl ifanc 19 oed sydd â’r un lefel o brofiad a dealltwriaeth o goginio â Sam, a dyna pam ein bod yn gwybod y byddai’n berffaith fel ‘chef de partie’ gyda ni.
“Mae WorldSkills UK wedi bod yn wych i ni fel busnes gan ein bod yn gallu hyrwyddo’r cwmni yn sgil llwyddiant Sam.
“Rydyn ni’n edrych ymlaen at gefnogi Sam wrth iddo barhau ar ei antur WorldSkills.”
Meddai Eluned Morgan, Gweinidog y Gymraeg a Dysgu Gydol Oes: “Mae WorldSkills yn gyfle rhagorol i bobl ifanc ddatblygu a dangos eu doniau.
“Mae’r heriau wirioneddol yn herio’r cyfranogwyr ac yn eu helpu i hogi eu technegau a dysgu mwy o sgiliau yn y maes arbenigedd o’u dewis, yn union fel Sam.
“Mae cyflogwyr yn elwa ar WorldSkills hefyd wrth iddyn nhw gael gafael ar weithwyr medrus iawn ac ymroddedig.
“Byddwn yn annog pob person ifanc i roi cynnig ar WorldSkills, gan ei fod yn brofiad a fydd yn newid eich bywyd.”
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