TWO former college students have been hailed for their skills in a national competition.

Anthony Smith and Scott Pearson shared first place in The Welding Institute’s awards ceremony at Cambridge University after being named top welding and fabrication technicians.

Mr Smith, 21, was named technician of the year with 22-year-old Mr Pearson awarded the advanced welding technician prize.

To qualify for the award, they had to showcase a portfolio of their work focusing on skills and qualifications.

Mr Smith, who collected his award at Cambridge University’s King’s College, said: “Taking the apprenticeship route when I left school was right for me.

“I now have the skills and experience to progress to become a fabrication co-ordinator and estimator and eventually an engineer.”

The ex-Hartlepool College apprentices now work for offshore contractor Heerema.

College bosses said it has supplied hundreds of apprentices to the firm in the last 20 years, but said it was the first time two had won the national honour.

Jim Shanks, the college’s fabrication and welding engineering tutor, said: “It’s a tremendous achievement for Anthony and Scott and a great honour for both the college and Heerema.

“We are absolutely delighted they have proved they are the best in the country and it proves we can produce the highest calibre apprentices and skilled people right here in the North-East at the college.”

To add to its apprenticeship drive, Heerema has also taken on Joanne Taylor, its first ever female fabrication and welding apprentice, who previously studied at Hartlepool College.