A Cardigan young woman has won a medal at a national skills competition.

Mia Parkin was one of more than 280 contenders from across Wales were acknowledged for their work at the recent Skills Competition Wales event, earning 96 gold, 92 silver, and 97 bronze medals.

The competitions were held in January and February.

Bronze medalist, Mia Parkin shone in the Beauty Therapist category.

Mia said: "Winning a medal means the world to me and has validated months of hard work and dedication.

"The biggest benefit of being part of a skills competition is the representation it brings."

After competing in the level 2 category, she said: "It's been refreshing to show that we're not just girls who like to do make-up and nails - we've shown that it's a precise process, that it's not as easy as it looks, and that hopefully, people can be educated that we do lots of physiology and anatomy lessons to make sure we're working safely for each client."

The young therapist currently works in a spa and will be employed as a full-time therapist starting June, upon qualification.

Looking towards the future, Mia is aiming to take part in WorldSkills UK.

Culinary arts, web development, aeronautical engineering, and renewable energy were just a few of the fields contestants showcased their skills in.

The Skills Competition Wales, managed by the Inspiring Skills Excellence in Wales project, plays a vital role in enabling participation in more prestigious national and international events such as WorldSkills UK, EuroSkills, and WorldSkills International.

Mia was enthusiastic about the opportunity, saying: "Looking ahead, I'm applying for Worldskills UK to compete for Wales and can't wait to get a head start on practice and preparation. I can't imagine not at least giving it a go after how much I enjoyed Skills Competition Wales!

Skills Competition Wales is championed by the Welsh Government.

The project's goal is to nurture talent and ensure quality across various skill sectors.

Then-minister for economy, and now First Minister for Wales, Vaughan Gething, praised the initiative saying: "Skills Competition Wales serves as the perfect platform for our youth to push their boundaries and showcase their talents.

"Having had the privilege of supporting and attending numerous competitions, it's truly inspiring to see these young individuals take pride in their work and continuously strive for excellence in their chosen fields.

"I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each and every competitor."

As the nation looks forward, Lyon, France will host the next International WorldSkills competition, where Welsh competitors will represent Team UK for a shot at the world title.

For more information on opportunities to represent Wales in 2024 and 2025 competitions, visit the inspiring skills website.