• Best Practical Welder - North East Area (given by Teesside Branch Committee of the Welding and Joinery Society)
• SkillWeld Award Winner - North East Region

Derwentside College achieved a double success at the recent SkillWeld competition 2004. This national welding competition is aimed at trainees who have undergone training for a minimum of six months and who are producing work of outstanding quality. Twin brothers - Stuart and James Parkin succeeded in gaining first and forth place, respectively, in the regional finals. Success in this competition is highly prized, as Stuart and James were up against some fierce competition from students of neighbouring colleges and national companies.

In April 2004, Stuart represented the College and his employer, Hiatco Ltd. at the national finals in Cambridge.

Above: Twin brothers Stuart (left) and James (right) achieved success at the North East regional finals of the SkillWeld Competition.