Over 72,000 people visited WorldSkills UK LIVE, the UK’s largest skills, careers and apprenticeships event, over three days (21-23 November 2019) at the NEC Birmingham.
Thousands of young people got the chance to explore career opportunities across a range of sectors including construction, engineering, hospitality and digital. These sectors were brought to life with the help of over 150 exhibitors including Industry Partner BAE Systems, Toyota, the Army, Coca-Cola and Champneys.
As well as expert careers advice from the National Careers Service and the National Apprenticeship Service, attendees were able to get hands-on, trying job-related skills such as floristry, TV production and virtual welding.
Young people were given the given the chance to hear from several inspiring figures, including a moving talk about mental strength with activist and TV presenter Katie Piper.
The event also played host to the all-important National Finals of the WorldSkills UK Competitions. Almost 600 apprentices and students competed in 70 different disciplines – from bricklaying to beauty therapy.
Those taking part in the competitions were hoping to secure the opportunity to represent the UK at the WorldSkills Finals, known as the ‘skills olympics’ in Shanghai in 2021.
