The 14 young adults that will represent the UK at EuroSkills Graz have been revealed.
The international competition will see the members of Team UK - many of them apprentices - compete against 500 competitors from 27 countries to be crowned the best in Europe at their chosen skill.
The UK will be represented in a range of skills this year, including architectural stonemasonry, electronics prototyping and industry 4.0.
EuroSkills Graz was originally due to take place this month, but was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. It will now take part between 6 and 10 January 2021.
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Hannah Beckley, who will be competing in floristry, said that she was over the moon to be selected as part of Team UK.
She said: “I’m completely shocked and over the moon. I’m so happy to be a part of Team UK. I’m looking forward to working together with other competitors, meeting face-to-face at last and building those bonds. I think my skills will massively improve with more training and through competing internationally.”
Lewis Dymock, Team UK’s hope for chemical laboratory technician, said that “there’s no aspect of EuroSkills” that he isn’t looking forward to.
He said: “Delighted! That’s how I felt when I was told I was in Team UK. Knowing that you’ve reached the point where there are no more hurdles to jump, you’ve made it to the team, that was brilliant. The training that we will receive will be a lot more in-depth, a lot more technical, a lot of the tasks that we do as part of the training it’s a step above what we do at even university. The training pushes you a lot further and gives you the skill of independent thinking.”
‘This is going to be epic’
WorldSkills UK chief executive Neil Bentley-Gockmann said: “Forget the Euros next season, this is going to be epic, and far more fundamental to the future of our country - demonstrating the next generation is developing the skills we need to help build back better our economy and remain internationally competitive.
“There has been so much conjecture as to how the United Kingdom will fare in terms of skills performance. The competition with 27 of our near neighbours across the continent will be a brilliant benchmark and show what Team UK is made of.”
Education secretary Gavin Williamson said: “It’s fantastic to see such a talented group of young people selected to represent Team UK. You should all be very proud to have been picked as ambassadors for our country and to showcase the world-class technical and vocational education and training on offer across the UK.
“We are committed to making sure all young people have the skills they need to succeed and so businesses have access to the talented workforce they need to thrive. As we build back better, our pioneering new T levels, high-quality apprenticeships and further education sector will play a key role in unleashing this country’s potential and the opportunities ahead. I look forward to championing the talent and skills of our young people for many years to come.”
Scotland’s minister for FE, HE and science Richard Lochhead said: “Scotland has a long tradition of scientific, engineering and creative innovation. It is great to see, once again, that Scottish students are excelling in these specialisms. Well done to all three - you are doing the country proud and I wish you all the best in this competition.”
The team in full
- Jordan Cliffe, aged 20, architectural stonemasonry, Building Crafts College and Canterbury Cathedral
- Lewis Dymock, aged 23, chemical laboratory technician, New College Lanarkshire and University of the West of Scotland
- Abigail Stansfield, aged 20, CNC milling, BAE Systems
- Sam Everton, aged 20, cooking, Pembrokeshire College and The Grove
- Rhys Watts, aged 18, electronics prototyping, Gower College Swansea
- Hannah Beckley, aged 19, floristry, Warwickshire College Group and Silver Birch Bouquets
- Phoebe McLavy, aged 21, hairdressing, Coleg Sir Gar and Reds Hair Salon
- Kamil Zmich, aged 22, industry 4.0, UTC Sheffield and Toyota Manufacturing Ltd
- Bradley Ellison, aged 20, industry 4.0, UTC Sheffield and SMS Machines & Automation Ltd
- Ross Fiori, aged 20, joinery, Carlisle College and Langley Furniture Works
- Lewis Batchelor, aged 21, mechanical engineering: CAD, New College Lanarkshire and Merson Group
- Will Gale, aged 21, mechatronics, Toyota Manufacturing Ltd
- Josh Sibley, aged 22, mechatronics, Toyota Manufacturing Ltd
- Grete Volungeviciute, aged 22, visual merchandising, City of Glasgow College
