WorldSkills UK brought together performance coaches, Skills Champions and Competition organisers to help Competitors and their supporters get ready for the National Finals.
For the very first time, WorldSkills UK National Finalists had the opportunity to experience our unique training methodology before they compete this November. They were introduced to the WorldSkills UK framework for improvement and development, which creates a winning mindset among young people and educators.
The inaugural National Finalist Bootcamp took place at Loughborough University over two days, welcoming 90 Competitors and 55 educators. The aim of the event was to give National Competitors a taste of the high-level coaching and support given to Team UK as they get ready for international Skills Competitions.
Getting Competition-ready
The event kicked off with a motivational talk by former Olympian, Peter Bakare. He shared his expert advice on how to mentally prepare for Competitions, and how young people must believe in themselves to achieve their goals.
Competitors then took part in a series of workshops, led by WorldSkills UK experts, which were designed to help them hone their performance skills and get competition-ready for the National Finals. They learnt tools and techniques to help them develop a winning mindset, the importance of health and nutrition and how to perform under pressure. They also had an opportunity to hear from Skills Champions (former Competitors) who spoke about their experience of taking part in competitions.
Educators were also invited to the Bootcamp to learn from Competition organisers and experienced trainers. They took part in workshops on high performance coaching and were given practical advice, hints and tips on how to support their Competitors to succeed
“It was great to see so many competitors and educators at our inaugural National Finalists Bootcamp,” said Parisa Shirazi, Head of Education & Skills Competitions at WorldSkills UK. “The event gave competitors a taste of the high-level coaching and support given to Team UK to help get them competition-ready, as well as providing practical advice and tips to educators on how they can best support their competitors in the weeks leading up to the national finals. We wish everyone the very best for success at WorldSkills UK LIVE.”
“I’ve had a brilliant day, and taken a lot from talking to the coaches, previous competitors and staff, and feel like I know more now what I need to do to give myself the best chance.”
National Finalist after attending the training sessions
