Gemmak Engineering Ltd. apprentice welder Lee Gibson won bronze in the Skills Competition Wales, organised by the Inspiring Skills Excellence in Wales project. Gibson received his prize at a gala presentation evening in Swansea earlier this month (March).
Gemmak serves as the manufacturing division within Rope and Sling Specialists Ltd.’s (RSS) engineering services department. It is principally used to design, manufacture, fabricate and repair a range of lifting beams, swing jibs, lifting platforms, pipework, runway beams, and lifting brackets, in addition to bespoke equipment, for the steel, shipbuilding, petrochemical, and other heavy industries.
Skills Competition Wales aims to raise the profile of skills in Wales and offers students, trainees, and apprentices in Wales a chance to challenge, benchmark, and raise their skills by taking part in competitions across a range of sectors. Funded by the Welsh Government and run by a dedicated network of colleges, work-based learning providers, and employer-led organisations, it consists of a series of local skills competitions, aligned to WorldSkills and the needs of the Welsh economy. Over 1,000 representatives from across Wales competed to be the best across 20 sectors.
Gibson, 20, who attends Swansea College, entered his practical work for assessment by judges. When at Gemmak, he completes a myriad of fabricating and welding tasks for a variety of applications. Gibson completes his studies this summer, at which point he hopes to join Gemmak full-time.
He said: “Honestly, I was very happy with my entry — and my welding work more generally — so I was hopeful of being recognised by the judges. I enjoy learning and am always keen to tackle the challenges presented by pipe welding especially. Gemmak has been very good to me and supported my learning throughout my apprenticeship.”
Steve Hutin, managing director at RSS, said: “Lee’s award is richly deserved. It was great to see him — and our company name — up in lights in such prestigious awards. Gemmak and its welding function especially has become a central component of our business. That said, finding welders with the skills and dedication remains an ongoing challenge. Our apprenticeship scheme — we have three apprentices working across both companies — is one way we are bucking the trend. Gemmak will fabricate anything metal, using the latest design, cutting, and welding technology, meaning the challenges presented to our welders are wide-ranging. Lee approaches every job with enthusiasm and an insatiable desire to learn.
“Our engineering services department is very busy; we have had an excellent first quarter, a healthy order book, and are continually quoting on new projects.”
Gibson reports to Steve Simpson, engineering services business development at Gemmak, which recently received a UKCA Certificate of Conformity of the Factory Production Control, up to and including EXC 3. Gemmak continues to manufacture to EXC 1 and EXC 2 standards. The business is also certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and Safe Contractor.
