The UK’s squad for Europe’s most prestigious skills competition has been announced, with 22 young people from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales selected to make up Team UK at the EuroSkills finals in Budapest from 26 to 28 September.

These EuroSkills finals, which include teams from across Europe, are the last before the UK is scheduled to leave the European Union next year. To secure a place in Team UK, the apprentices and learners went through an exhaustive selection process, taking part in WorldSkills UK national competitions, the finals of which were held at WorldSkills UK LIVE (formerly known as the Skills Show) in November. 

‘Life-enhancing opportunity’

Neil Bentley, chief executive of WorldSkills UK, which selects and trains Team UK for international competitions, said: “This will be a life-enhancing opportunity for these remarkable young people.

“After Brexit, our economic success as a nation will be dependent on our ability to close major trade deals and attract inward investment - and this will always hinge on demonstrating we have people with the right skills. They are leaders of their generation - and will inspire many more to walk in their footsteps.”

At the last EuroSkills finals, held in 2016 in Gothenburg, Team UK finished seventh in the medal table.

Team UK