Deidre Samantha Petersen, West Coast College Vredenburg Campus student, along with 13 other competitors from 7 of the nine provinces in South Africa took part in the WorldSkills South Africa National Competition that was held in Durban from 7-10 June 2022. Deidre showed that she is indeed a ‘torch’ to be reckoned with as she walked away with the Bronze medal, therefore claiming the third place in the welding skill. Her college colleague, Thaakirah Wilkens, took home fourth place.
Say Leon Koopman, Skills expert in the Welding Skill and lecturer at West Coast College Vredenburg Campus: “We as Team WorldSkills Western Cape and West Coast College are indeed very proud of Deidre for this wonderful honour that she has been given to be the third-best in her skill in the country and we too are happy for Thaakirah, who finished fourth.”
The two ladies took part in the Welding Skills Competition and represented the Western Cape WorldSkills Team who took home 11 medals in total. “We are proud of everyone that had the opportunity to show their skills and show that the Western Cape is indeed a Skills Force that will continue to produce skilled and qualified students and add value to the studies of our students,” says Rhazia Hamza: West Coast College Deputy Principal: Innovation and Development and Western Cape WorldSkills Committee Chair.
The WorldSkills International Competition that was scheduled to take place in China later this year has unfortunately been canceled but planning has already begun for the next provincial and national competition that will be taking place in two years.
“I will never forget this experience and would like to thank everyone for their support during the training and the competition in Durban. I have learned so much and know that this experience is something that I can take and build on in the future,” added Deidre.

CAPTION: Thaakirah Wilkens with Leon Koopman (Skills Expert) and Deidre Samantha Petersen (WorldSkills SA Welding Skill Bronze Medal Winner).