Qilong Li has been named a winner in the National Qualifiers of this year’s WorldSkills UK competition.
A 'rising star' in computing has beaten students and apprentices from across the South of England to net first place in the regional final of this year’s WorldSkills UK competition.
Qilong Li, 23, who has just completed an IT Level 3 Extended Diploma course at the College of Haringey Enfield and North East London (CONEL), was a winner in the National Qualifiers of the IT and Enterprise competition.
WorldSkills UK is the country’s largest skills, apprenticeships and careers event, and aims to inspire young people in pursuing world class skills needed by UK business and industry.
There are five competitions – Engineering and Technology, Media and Creative, IT and Enterprise, Hospitality and Lifestyle and Construction and Infrastructure – each with different sub-categories.
Qilong was thrilled after winning the IT Software Solutions for Business sub-category of the IT and Enterprise competition, and the chance to compete in the National Finals at Birmingham NEC in November.
“I was surprised but very happy to have won,” said Qilong, who achieved a triple Distinction at CONEL and is now heading to Middlesex University to study Games Design.
“The time was short and it was hard to get everything done. My tutors gave me some assignments so I could practice at home, which really helped when it came to the competition, as I felt prepared when I saw what I had to do.”
“I have liked everything about my time at CONEL. The teachers were good and I learnt a lot of skills I can take to university.”
Qilong Li is heading to Middlesex University after completing a IT Diploma Level 3 Extended course at CONEL.
The contest, which took place at North East Surrey College of Technology in Epsom, tested the participants’ knowledge of Microsoft Office software, focusing on Word and Excel, as well as their accuracy and time management skills.
Laila Hassanzadeh, Head of School for Computing, said: “We’re very proud of Qilong and his success.
“He is an outstanding student who showed excellent commitment and motivation who passed his course with overall Distinction. He is one of our rising stars and has a bright future ahead of him.”
Qi-Long’s win follows the success of electrical apprentice Yordan Tomov who came first in the National Qualifiers of the Construction and Infrastructure competition.
CONEL offers ICT and Computing courses at Levels 1-3 along with an Access to Higher Education Diploma in Computing and a Higher National Certificate and Higher National Diploma in Computing and Systems Development.