WorldSkills UK is sad to learn of the death of Sir John Cassels, the former Chairman of UK Skills.
UK Skills was the forerunner to the organisation now known as WorldSkills UK. Under Sir John Cassels’ guidance and leadership, UK Skills championed skills through competitions and awards and was responsible for managing the UK’s entry into WorldSkills.
A distinguished public servant, Sir John Cassels made significant contributions to education and employment policy during his career. As Chairman of UK Skills, he was tasked with improving the UK’s performance at WorldSkills, after a disappointing performance at the 1988 WorldSkills Competition held in Birmingham. Sir John Cassels focused on revamping Team UK’s preparations for future competitions and it is testament to his dedication and belief in skills competitions that at WorldSkills São Paulo 2015, Team UK delivered a world-class performance, coming seventh overall in the competition ahead of France and Germany.
In 2007, Sir John Cassells was made an Honorary Member of WorldSkills for the contribution of his services.
Dr Neil Bentley, Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK said: “Sir John Cassels was a true visionary when it came to the role skills competitions can play in enhancing a young person’s apprenticeship or training programme by enabling them to develop key character and employability skills. His legacy lives on in the work of WorldSkills UK as we continue to demonstrate how competitions support business competitiveness, young people’s employability and excellence in standards.”
