Two Computing & Emerging Technologies students from Stratford-upon-Avon College are celebrating progressing to the National Qualifier Stage of the WorldSkills Cybersecurity Competition.
Jack Hawkins and Tom Mason-Hassett, who are both first year students on the Computing course, passed the regional heats of the WorldSkills UK Cybersecurity Competition aimed at discovering and nurturing the finest young talent in the cybersecurity field.
The competition aims to highlight and develop the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, addressing the industry’s skills gap and preparing young talent for future challenges.
The students have passed the regional heats which included undertaking tasks in Network Security, Cryptography, Forensics and Secure Coding and are moving on to the National Qualifiers which include more complex challenges.
Computing lecturer, Chris Jackman, comments: “Jack is a highly gifted C# programmer known for his impressive skills and dedication to his craft. A true tech enthusiast, Jack has developed his own personal website where he showcases his projects, achievements, and expertise in C#. His website serves as a portfolio that highlights his proficiency in coding and his innovative approach to problem-solving.
Tom is a brilliant self-taught programmer with a great competence in Linux and Metasploit programming. His journey into the world of programming is marked by curiosity and a determination to master complex systems. Tom has developed outstanding skills in penetration testing, showcasing his potential as a future expert in the field of cybersecurity.”
“I was pleased to learn that Jack and Tom have advanced to the second stage of the World Skills cybersecurity competition. Jack’s exceptional C# programming abilities and Tom’s impressive expertise in Linux and penetration testing were instrumental in their success. Their dedication and hard work have clearly paid off. This was a well-deserved achievement!”
Congratulations Tom and Jack, the whole college is behind you as you move to the next stage of this prestigious competition!
