‘Skills Olympics’ line-up announced

Following in the footsteps of our sporting Olympic stars, is a group of talented young apprentices and students who will compete at WorldSkills Lyon 2024, known as the ‘skills Olympics’.

Team UK will be heading for glory on the world stage in Lyon, France, just hours after the Olympic flame in Paris is dimmed.

All aged under 25, the members of Team UK will be competing, from 10 -15 September, in disciplines including cyber security, renewable energy, digital construction, cooking, hairdressing and painting and decorating.

WorldSkills UK, a four nations partnership between education, industry and UK governments, is responsible for selecting, mentoring and training Team UK. Pearson, the world’s leading learning company is the official partner of Team UK for WorldSkills Lyon 2024.

Just like their sporting counterparts, Team UK has been training hard for this once in a lifetime opportunity to represent their country in their chosen career. The UK has been taking part in the WorldSkills Competition since 1953 and the event is used by governments around the world, economists and global business leaders as a litmus test to measure preparedness to optimise future economic growth.

WorldSkills Lyon 2024 will host over 1500 young people from 65 countries, who will compete in 62 different skill disciplines.

Ben Blackledge, Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK said: “WorldSkills Lyon 2024 - think Olympic Games – where the prize is the world-class skills that UK employers are crying out for.

“I couldn’t be prouder of Daniel Knox and all of the exceptional young people in Team UK; they are fantastic role models. Together with Pearson, we will use their participation at WorldSkills to boost the prestige of technical and vocational education, inspiring many more young people to take up technical and vocational training across the UK to help drive investment, jobs and economic growth.”

Freya Thomas Monk, Managing Director of Vocational Qualifications and Training at Pearson, said:

“Pearson shares many goals with WorldSkills UK - celebrating the best of vocational and technical education, raising awareness and the prestige of the sector and supporting young people to set benchmarks of excellence in their chosen fields.

“I hope the Team UK members take pride in the fact that their dedication and talent have rightfully earned them a place in this prestigious competition. The skills they have honed, and the standards they have worked so hard to reach, represent the very best our nation has to offer. Here at Pearson, we are cheering you on every step of the way.”

Max Whitlock OBE, Triple World and Olympic Champion Gymnast, Six-time Olympic Medallist and former BTEC student said:

"Huge congratulations to the remarkable 'skills Olympians' selected to represent the UK at the upcoming WorldSkills competition. Their passion and hard work will guarantee that UK skills will shine bright on the global stage this September. My support goes out to every member of Team UK as they prepare to take on the world in Lyon!"

WorldSkills Lyon 2024, the 47^th WorldSkills Competition, will take place from 10-15 September.

For more information visit www.worldskillsuk.org