UK now ranked seventh in the world for young skills talent

Following the success of Team UK at WorldSkills São Paulo 2015, the UK is now seventh in the world for young skills talent.

Team UK, whose members are all aged 18 to 25, brought home a haul of nine medals (including three Gold, four Silver and two Bronze) and 24 Medallions For Excellence, which are given to competitors who attain world-class standards in their chosen skill.

The UK was previously in 10^th position following the WorldSkills Competition in Leipzig, Germany in 2013.  Brazil came in pole position at WorldSkills Sâo Paulo 2015, followed by Korea in second and Chinese Taipei in third.

Team UK’s success at the Competition was celebrated with a special ‘Welcome Back’ event held in London earlier this month.  Skills Minister Nick Boles and Prime Minister David Cameron’s apprenticeship adviser Richard Harrington, MP for Watford, were among the guests.  Members of Team UK were also given a special tour of the Houses of Parliament by Anna Turley MP.   

Speaking at the welcome back reception for Team UK, Richard Harrington MP and Apprenticeship Advisor to the Prime Minister said: “Congratulations Team UK. You’re earned your place in history.I am delighted to see that many of Team UK are current or former apprentices. They are proof that apprenticeships change lives, make ambitions come true and provide professional qualifications and industry experience alongside a whole host of skills and opportunities.”

At the Welcome Back event, two awards were presented:

• The Woodbine Parish award, given to the highest scoring competitor who did not medal, was jointly awarded to Hayley Edwards (Health and Social Care) and Martin McLaughlin (Wall and Floor Tiling).
• The John Barnes award for contributing most to Team UK Morale, voted by Team UK, was awarded to Jasmine Field (Visual Merchandising and Window Dressing). 

All Team UK members have been invited to join the Skills Champions programme run by Find a Future.  Skills Champions are a network of inspiring young professionals, all of whom have competed as part of Team UK, Squad UK or at the finals of the WorldSkills UK Skills Competitions held at The Skills Show.   

Selection for the next Team UK, to compete at WorldSkills Abu Dhabi in 2017, will start at The Skills Show 2015, which takes place at the NEC Birmingham from 19 to 21 November 2015.