Last week marked a historic milestone for Wales as it hosted the WorldSkills UK National Finals for the very first time – and with the highest number of competitors our nation has ever fielded.
Following the inspiring Team Wales Torch Relay, which travelled the length and breadth of Wales, uniting colleges and communities in celebration of skills, the WorldSkills UK National Finals brought together over 400 of the UK’s most talented apprentices and learners to compete for the title of best in their trade.
From 26th – 28th November, competitions took place across five venues in South Wales, covering over 40 skill areas from engineering and digital to hospitality, construction and the creative industries.
The official results were announced during a medal ceremony at ICC Wales on Friday, 28 November, where Team Wales delivered an outstanding performance.
Of these, young people studying at Cardiff & Vale College achieved 2 Gold, 1 Silver, and 2 Highly Commended medals – topping the league table and securing the highest medal points of any educational institution across the UK.
This year, Wales was represented by a total of 122 competitors – the highest number the nation has ever had. Welsh competitors made up around 30% of all entrants across the UK, reflecting both the breadth of skills talent in Wales and the impact of investment in training and facilities across the country.
Daniel James, gold medallist in the Network Infrastructure Technician competition, said: “Competing at the WorldSkills UK finals is an incredible honour. Representing Wales and my college while putting my skills to the test has been such an exciting opportunity. The competition pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow both personally and professionally, building confidence and developing skills beyond the classroom. The Wales competitions were a great stepping stone to this stage, and now I’d love to take it even further and compete at EuroSkills if I get the chance.”
Anisa Abdin, highly commended in the Beauty Therapy competition, said: “Competing at the WorldSkills UK finals is something I never imagined. A year ago, I wouldn’t have believed I’d be here. It has pushed me to aim higher and maintain high standards, and it’s helped me grow so much in confidence. Having this achievement on my CV will make a huge difference for my future. My dream now is to progress to Level 4 and one day open my own salon – this experience has shown me that anything is possible.”
“If you are thinking about getting into wall and floor tiling or any other skilled trade, take the leap! Competitions like SkillBuild aren’t just about winning, they are about learning, growing and proving to yourself what you can achieve.”
Minister for Skills Jack Sargeant said: “I’d like to extend a huge congratulations to Team Wales on their outstanding success at this year’s WorldSkills UK National Finals.
“Hosting the Finals for the first time has been a proud moment for our nation, and the achievements of our competitors highlight their dedication and the exceptional quality of vocational talent we have here in Wales.
“We’re committed to supporting the next generation, creating opportunities for them to broaden their horizons and achieve world-class recognition. Congratulations again to every competitor and to the tutors, employers and families who supported them throughout this incredible journey.”
Ben Blackledge, Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK, said: “Congratulations to all those who participated in the WorldSkills UK national competitions. They have demonstrated their skills at the highest level and these exceptional young people represent the future of our economy. They are the new generation of highflyers that will give UK employers a competitive edge. Our competitions, based on global standards, play a vital role in developing the skills that will drive investment, create jobs, and fuel economic growth.”
WorldSkills UK together with the Welsh Government and Inspiring Skills Excellence in Wales welcomed leading employers, industry experts from across the world and representatives from the UK’s education and training sector to watch the national finals in action.
Competitions in Wales begin at a regional level with Skills Competition Wales, coordinated by Inspiring Skills Excellence in Wales, and progress to national and international WorldSkills stages.
Medallists at WorldSkills UK now have the chance to join Squad UK and represent their country at future global WorldSkills competitions.
For more information on WorldSkills UK and SkillBuild, and how to start your journey as a competitor, tutor or employer in Wales, visit https://inspiringskills.gov.wales.