Team UK has finished 12th in the WorldSkills Kazan 2019 medal table.

The overall point score, based on the number of medals and medallions won by the team, increased from 21,262 at WorldSkills Abu Dhabi in 2017 to 22,372 at last month’s event in Russia.

However, the team’s final position dropped from the 10th place secured (in the equivalent table) in the last two competitions, in Abu Dhabi and in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 2015.

The overall number of medals won was four, down from seven in 2017. However, the team claimed twice as many gold medals as last time out, and the number of medallions for excellence - awarded to competitors who have achieved the highest international standards - increased from 13 in Abu Dhabi to 15 in Kazan.

This year’s gold medals were won in aircraft maintenance and beauty therapy.

News:  Why more diversity would make WorldSkills even better

Tes magazine:  How WorldSkills trainers could raise standards across FE

Listen:  Can WorldSkills transform education?

Team UK also won a silver medal in car painting and a bronze in hairdressing. 

China, Russia and Brazil came first, second and third respectively, with China scoring 40,830 points, thanks to 16 gold medals, 14 silver, 5 bronze and 17 medallions of excellence.

Host country Russia won 14 golds, 4 silver, 4 bronze and 25 medallions of excellence, and clocked up 40,137 points.

Ben Blackledge, WordSkills UK deputy chief executive said that the team were focused on taking the lessons learnt from Kazan to help them break into the top ten at WorldSkills Shanghai in 2021. 

“WorldSkills Kazan 2019 saw a strong performance from Team UK - 19 medals and medallions - with well over half the team attaining the all-important world-class standard in their skills. Alongside our podium positions, we have been working hard to boost our performance in STEM areas and were pleased with success in competitions such as chemical laboratory technology, CNC milling, mechatronics, electronics and refrigeration and air conditioning. 

“Team UK was up against fierce competition with the event acknowledged as the largest and most competitive yet, with 63 countries competing and an increasing number of countries investing heavily in both competition preparation and in building and strengthening their own TVET systems.”

WorldSkills Kazan 2019: the top 15 countries