It’s the time of year when young people from across the UK gather at the NEC Birmingham to put their skills to the test, competing against each other on the national stage for a place in the WorldSkills Final.
The 109 finalists from Wales follow in the footsteps of the seven young people who represented Team UK at WorldSkills Kazan 2019. Wales represented 19% of Team UK, the highest proportion to date, and returned home with a Bronze medal, and five Medallions of Excellence, signifying attainment at a world-class standard.
Colleges’ continued support ensures Wales produces a strong and talented team of finalists every year, and their commitment to collaboration guarantees Wales’ representation on Team UK.
WorldSkills Live is not only a competition, it’s also an opportunity for businesses and organisations across the UK to showcase career opportunities and provide hands-on experiences that inspire young people to explore further education, skills and apprenticeships. Wales’ presence will be delivered in partnership with CollegesWales, NTfW, and the Welsh Government. The event will also be an opportunity to engage young people in “have a go” activities which aim to motivate and inspire.
Iestyn Davies, CEO ColegauCymru said,
“It’s great to see so many young people from Wales taking part in WorldSkills UK Live this year. The standards are raised year on year, and it’s a testament to the Welsh Further Education sector which produces these talented individuals, who will become the workforce of the future.
He continued, “Looking at skills for the future, it’s reassuring to see competitions in areas such as cyber security and industrial electronics gaining momentum, as the Further Education sector in Wales is keen to embrace the challenges set out in Welsh Government’s recent report, Wales 4.0. Other countries across Europe are investing heavily in skills development and we need to ensure we keep up. Pob lwc i Dîm Cymru!”
