Computing student Dahir Abdirazak Hajji from the College of North West London (CNWL), part of United Colleges Group (UCG), has secured a place in the prestigious WorldSkills UK Finals in the Web Development category.
Dahir is one of just 407 finalists selected from more than 4,400 competitors across the UK, following a series of highly competitive qualifying rounds. The national finals, taking place this November in South Wales, will see the country’s top young talent compete across 44 skills disciplines, with the highest performers also having the opportunity to progress towards representing the UK at the international WorldSkills competition.
WorldSkills UK competitions are designed to recreate the pace, pressure and standards of the workplace, challenging competitors to solve complex problems and perform at the highest level. Dahir, who is studying Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma in Information Technology, earned his place in the finals following an outstanding year that has showcased both his technical expertise and his commitment to learning.
Reflecting on his WorldSkills journey so far, Dahir said: “Competing in WorldSkills has been a great learning experience for me. It has improved my problem-solving and technical skills while teaching me to work under pressure in a competitive environment. I’ve prepared through regular practice and the wonderful guidance and support of my tutors. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that, even though I prepared as best I could, there is no substitute for experiencing the competition firsthand. I’m excited to represent our college in the finals and give it my very best.”
Earlier this year, Dahir also competed in the Greater London Skills Competition, where he and his team won the Cyber competition, demonstrating outstanding technical expertise and problem-solving skills. Supported by the Greater London Authority, in partnership with the Association of Colleges and endorsed by WorldSkills UK, the competition brought together learners, educators, employers and industry leaders to celebrate vocational excellence and develop the skills needed for the workforce of tomorrow.
Alongside his competition success, Dahir was recently recognised at the College of North West London Student Awards, receiving the Governors’ Award and being named Study Programme Student of the Year in the Creative Industries & Digital category.
His tutor, Yacob Woldehiwot, praised Dahir’s exceptional commitment and talent, describing him as “a computing guru” and “one of the best students I have taught during my 27 years at the College of North West London.”
Good luck for the WorldSkills Finals, Dahir!
“My experience at College of Northwest London, has been exciting, it has been thrilling and it has been full of opportunities, and we have the tutors that help us whenever we’re in need. We go on educational trips to get a feel for what university life is like. We have the careers advisors that help us on our path, our university path.”
“The facilities here are brilliant. You have range of courses you can study. My teachers in the Performing Arts department have got history in the industry, which is very useful. You get to ask them for advice and actual knowledge from the industry, and take that into your own work within the college also afterwards. ”
“At City of Westminster College, my experience has been the best of all the other colleges I’ve attended. The reason I like CWC is because the teachers make my journey easier with assessment and exams. I’m a Level Two Science student and I enjoy my lessons because most of them are practical, which are helpful for me. I love studying at CWC because you meet people from other countries – all over the world and from all different communities.”
“My favourite thing about studying here has definitely got to be the teachers. They’re really helpful, kind and in the industry, so it’s good.”
“The technical knowledge and hands-on experience gained during my apprenticeship at College of North West London have been invaluable, particularly in understanding site processes, health and safety requirements and the understanding of electrical systems.”
“My experience studying at City of Westminster College has been amazing. It’s been so welcoming; I enjoy it very much because of the staff members we have here. They’re very approachable and I could come to them with any question, and it will be answered straight away. And if I come early for a class, I can use the Learning Resources Centre, I can use the computers, the books, just to continue all my studies outside the classroom time.”
“The training process was seamless. I had good instructors who were very flexible, supporting people of all learning levels. On the last day after our exams, a security company came and did a presentation. We had the opportunity to have an interview afterwards. I told them about my experiences, and they said I would be a good fit. I formally applied for a role and started with the company soon after. Getting into security has opened doors for me. I hope I will continue to take steps up the career ladder.”
“Coming to study at the City of Westminster College was the best decision that I had ever made. The teachers are very accommodating – they help you learn things in a way that might be easier for you to learn. They are very supportive and I think that’s one of the best things about learning here.”
“I was so grateful to have won Apprentice of the Year at the West London Business Awards 2026, I could not have done it without the support my company Size Group and the College of North West London.”
