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Most decorated student in college history gets ready for national skills competition

News overview

An electrician from Leiston is feeling positive ahead a national skills contest where she will take on some of the best students in the country during a competition called SkillElectricUK.

Jane Thorp, 21, from Leiston works for Fellowes Electrical Ltd in Knoddishall.

Skilled female apprentice in high-visibility vest working in construction or electrical environment at ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅ for trades training and career development.

She studies as an apprentice at ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅ where she has won a clutch of major awards during her time being taught at one of the region’s top educational establishments.

Jane won the Β andΒ was the runner-up in the SPARKS Learner of the Year 2024. She was also the ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅ electrical apprentice of the year winner in 2025.

And over the summer, Jane travelled to the ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅ Joint Construction Committee’s (SJCC) annual awards bash held at Trinity Park and received the top building apprentice of the year prize at this prestigious event.

After the SJCC event, Jane took part in the regional heats of SkillElectricUK that took place at the College of West Anglia.

She came first in this event that was one of ten regional heats that took place in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Celebrating success at ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅ with students and staff, showcasing achievements in education, skills development, and community engagement in ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅.

The top eight competitors out of all of these heats have now been chosen to make sparks fly during a national SkillElectricUK final that is being held in Newport across the week of 24 November.

The top performer in the Newport final will then potentially have a chance to compete for Team GB during an international WorldSkills event that will be taking place in Shanghai next year.

Jane Thorp, 21, from Leiston, said: β€œThis is the first time I’ve got to . I won the heats in Kings Lynn and next up we have a training day in London this October. Three other students from ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅ have got to national skills finals (in other areas) so it’s pretty cool we’ve all made it through.” Other students to gain places in national finals who will be representing ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅ at in November are Fred Kingslick and Jon Painter (accounting) and Annalise Wilden (foundation hairdressing).

Electricity training students at ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅ electrical workshop for practical skills development and industry readiness.

Jane continued: β€œIf I win the final in November, I could end up representing my country – that would be amazing.”

In terms of being told she is the most decorated student in the history of ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅ Jane added: β€œThat is unbelievable. I’m quite proud of myself.”

Alan Pease is the principal and CEO of ΊωΒ«ΝήΚΣΖ΅. He said: β€œJane has been a fantastic ambassador for the college and we are incredibly proud of her amazing efforts. The fact that she keeps proving herself against some of the top electrical talent in the country, will stand her in good stead when she goes to the SkillElectricUK finals later this year. We will give her all the support she needs.”

Posted 25 September 2025
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