LAUNCESTON’S Charlotte Dawe won the gold medal in the floristry section at The Skills Show at the Worldskills UK Competition National Finals at the NEC in Birmingham on November 18.
The Worldskills competitions aim to bring together both trainees and young people from across the country to compete in their chosen field. Skills range from floristry to automation, welding to fine jewellery making, bricklaying and butchery.
Worldskills UK supports business competitiveness, young people’s employability and aim to engage young people in skills competitions, challenge stereotypes and support the apprenticeship agenda. Worldskills give competitors the confidence and self-belief they need to push themselves and excel in their chosen field.
For those competing in the floristry category, which was held over three days, the eight finalists had to create five designs, including two surprise items. The competitors had to show a range of skills including; knowledge of principles of design and colour complements, originality and wiring and arranging techniques.
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Charlotte, 28, works at the Flower Scene in Launceston, and has successfully gained her city and guilds Level 2, 3 and Higher Diploma Level 4. She trained at Bicton College in Exeter and the Academy of Floral Art, which is also in the Devon city.
For the first task, participants had to create a floor standing floral arrangement for the foyer of a fashion show. The next assignment saw the candidates make a body adornment, sash to be worn by a model on a catwalk.
Task three was a bridal design to complement the bridal gown — the design had to be wired and able to be carried by a model at the finale of the fashion show.
The two surprise tasks were a hand-tied bouquet to be given to the fashion designer at the end of the fashion show, and a waterfall floral arrangement to be placed at the end of a catwalk.
Talking about her success, Charlotte said: “It was great to win and I was very excited when I found out at the awards ceremony on the Saturday night. I couldn’t really believe it.
“Looking ahead, I’m going to keep working at it and bettering myself and jump into as many opportunities as I can.”