Tes and WorldSkills UK have agreed a new strategic partnership to promote technical education and apprenticeships.

WorldSkills UK is a partnership between business, education and government bodies. As well as representing the UK in the international skill competitions and running regional and national contests, it promotes the delivery of high-quality careers advice through events, including WorldSkills UK LIVE (formerly known as the Skills Show). It also showcases positive role models to ensure that apprenticeships and technical education are seen as prestigious career routes.

The organisation further produces research and thought-leadership materials to boost the esteem in which further education is held, and to explore the benefits that international competition can bring to the UK.

The announcement comes on the day of the opening ceremony of EuroSkills Budapest 2018.

'New and exciting' partnership

The partnership will see Tes covering regional, national and international skill competitions, and featuring regular contributions from Team UK competitors and coaches to highlight the transformational impact such competitions can have. Tes will also work with WorldSkills UK to make its resources for school and FE teachers more widely available through the Tes Resources platform, as well as on its research and thought-leadership work.

Neil Bentley, chief executive of WorldSkills UK, said: “Our mission is to change the national conversation so that apprenticeships and technical education are seen as prestigious career routes for all young people across the UK. 

“Our strategic partnership with Tes marks a new and exciting stage in our development to support our mission, by helping us highlight the work with our partners in education, business and governments to discuss how our activities can help address key challenges, such as productivity, technology and social mobility.”

Dr Bentley (pictured below) has also joined the judging panel for the Tes FE Awards 2019.

EuroSkills: the 'opportunity of a lifetime'

Tes FE editor Stephen Exley said: “Over the past few years, WorldSkills UK has done some incredible work to develop the technical skills that are so vital to the UK’s economy. There is tremendous support for WorldSkills in the further education sector across the UK, and Tes is delighted to offer its support, as WorldSkills UK’s education partner, to share the message with schools, colleges and training providers.

“As the talented members of Team UK prepare for the opportunity of a lifetime in Budapest, this is the perfect time to recognise the life-changing impact that the further education sector can have.”

Twenty-two members of Team UK will be competing against nations from across Europe. Tes reporter Julia Belgutay will be reporting from the event. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn for all the latest coverage from Hungary.