A computer science student at West Nottinghamshire College has discovered he will be competing in a skills competition at national level later this year.

Chris Butcher, 42, competed at Luton’s Barnfield College in May with students from other East Midlands’ colleges at the regional heats of WorldSkills UK Microsoft competitions and came third in the Microsoft IT Technician competition.

Judges have this week informed Chris, a student on the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in IT (Networking and System Support), that he has been selected to compete in the finals.

Chris, from Mansfield, will be putting his computer networking and configuring skills to the test at the Skills Show at Birmingham’s NEC from 14-17 November.

Curriculum manager for computer science Piers Ching said: “It’s been a nail biting time waiting to hear the results so we’re absolutely delighted with the news that Chris is going to be representing the college and the region in November.

“He’s one of the top eight scorers across all of the heats in the competition and it’s a great achievement to be competing at this level.  We wish him every success for the finals and we’ll be there to support him during the competition weekend.”