A Garnant carpentry apprentice has been commended after his skills saw him representing Wales and Great Britain in various international competitions.

Following competition success in France, where he was training provider representing Coleg Sir Gâr, Gareth Jones, was praised for the quality of his workmanship by the Deputy Minister for Skills, Ken Skates.

Gareth, who works for Paul Taylor Building Services, studied a Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) apprenticeship at the college’s Ammanford campus where he was been trained to take part in carpentry competitions.

In his most recent competition, the 21-year-old former Amman Valley pupil scooped fourth representing the UK at the Professional European Competition for Carpenters.

Paul Evans, who coordinates skills competitions at Coleg Sir Gâr and has developed training links in Europe, said: “The European competition is a great way for training providers to see the standards and training in place at other participating countries and as a result of networking abroad, the college has been invited to visit the centre for excellence in Germany.”

Gareth was presented with a lavish tool set by Mr Skates, which was donated by David Masey from the Apprenticeship and Centre for Excellence in Germany, who Gareth met at the recent competition.

Gareth’s previous successes includes winning joint-gold at EuroSkills in 2012 and he was selected as a WorldSkills UK squad member for Leipzig in 2013.

He is currently part of the long squad which will hopefully see him compete at WorldSkills competition in Brazil next year.

Paul Evans added: “We are proud of the fact that Gareth came fourth at the recent competition where 24 competitors and a number of former candidates who competed at Germany competed from over eight European countries.”