by Alex Wellman A student carpenter who narrowly lost out on a prize a year ago came up trumps after his teacher begged him to enter again. Radoslaw Nowacki, 31, of Bermans Way, Neasden, did not feel confident enough after missing out on

by Alex Wellman

A student carpenter who narrowly lost out on a prize a year ago came up trumps after his teacher begged him to enter again.

Radoslaw Nowacki, 31, of Bermans Way, Neasden, did not feel confident enough after missing out on top spot of the College of North West London's skills challenge by just one point last year.

The frown was turned upside down when Mr Nowacki relented under pressure from tutor John Norris and ended up carpentry champion at the college's Construction & Engineering Open Day in March.

Just one week later he was picking up his award at the college's celebration dinner with 16 other winners on April 3.

Mr Nowacki said: "I worked with a carpenter who helped me with English and taught me how to do a lot of things. Then I came to College and now I really enjoy carpentry. I love my work,"

Mr Norris said: "I kept phoning him because I knew he could do it. He kept refusing and saying he had not had enough practice, but in the end he won with hardly any practice. He is miles ahead of anyone else. He has a natural ability."

Mr Nowacki, a locksmith in Poland, came to the UK six years ago but turned to carpentry as his English was not good enough.

The awards ceremony was held at the college's Willesden Campus in Dudden Hill Lane.

Guest speaker Keith Marshall, chief executive of Summit Skills - the sector skills council for Building Services Engineering - told the audience he hoped they would go on to regional, national and possibly European and World Skills success.

He said: "If you go further, competition takes on a whole new dimension. You improve your employment prospects, you travel, you make friends, and the competitions are also huge fun."

Other winners on the night included the only female, Sheena Downing, 21, from Pinner, who won the Painting & Decorating prize despite being only a Level 1 student.

alex.wellman@archant.co.uk