WorldSkills UK

As we prepare for the start of the #WSUKComps25 cycle on 3 March, check out this video highlighting the incredible week we had! Featuring The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern (Jacqui Smith and Ben Blackledge as they discuss the significance of our competition-based training programme in developing young people’s skills and raising industry standards at the WorldSkills UK National Finals. Register your interest here:https://lnkd.in/equFKiqX #SkillsForLife

Join us for the WorldSkills UK two day Northern Ireland Event on 30-31 January 2025. Day 1: Focus on manufacturing – exploring strategies to achieve excellence in technical skills. Day 2: Focus on digital – preparing educators and learners for a tech-driven future. Highlights include sessions on: - Moving from competence to excellence: How core competencies drive quality outcomes. - AI best practice for educators: Building essential skills to navigate AI disruption. - Embedding future skills for resilience: Equipping learners with tools to adapt to change. - Benchmarking and international insights: Using standards and global best practices to raise performance. Don’t miss this opportunity to shape the future of skills development. Register at https://lnkd.in/eSUAQPCg #FutureSkills #TechnicalEducation

It has been fantastic to be joined by colleges, training providers and universities at our first #CentreOfExcellence Endorsed Trainer Programme in partnership with NCFE this week. Drawing on the insights we gain from WorldSkills International, our world-class teacher training programme covers mindset development for educators, assessment for excellence and competition pedagogy. We work with attendees to help them share the learnings with their colleagues, delivering impact across their whole organisation and benefiting more learners. Embedding international best practice into curriculum design and training programmes will help meet the need for a highly skilled workforce, driving investment, jobs and economic growth. NCG, Hopwood Hall College, RNN Group UK, Wigan & Leigh College and University Centre, Estio Training, Middlesbrough College, Solihull College & University Centre, DN Colleges Group, HETA, South Staffordshire College, Blackpool and The Fylde College, Education Partnership North East, Wiltshire College & University Centre, St George's, University of London

Join Our World-Class Skills Network! Are you passionate about raising standards and empowering young people? Join WorldSkills UK as we prepare for the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, September 2026! We’re looking for experienced trainers to lead training programmes in: - Cloud Computing - Electrical Installation - Refrigeration and Air Conditioning This 18-month role offers the chance to make a real impact, share global best practices, and develop as a leader. For more details on how to apply, click here: https://lnkd.in/ek2FFzDc #Industry #FurtherEducation #TechnicalEducation #WorldClassEducation #ExcellenceatWork

Have you seen our new WorldSkills UK Competition-Based Learning Playbook? A brand-new #resource, bringing together all our training and development tools to help #educators embed #world-class training programmes into the #curriculum. The playbook is a strategic guide, offering practical tools and timelines for operational planning, delivery, and assessment—designed to unlock the full potential of every #learner! Aligned with standardised curriculum design, it’s the perfect resource to create a connected and world-class learning experience. Find more information about the Competition-Based Learning Playbook here: https://lnkd.in/dqQQsAzU #WSUKPlaybook #WSUKLearningLab

✨What an Incredible Start to the Year!✨ - Preparing Tomorrow’s Workforce - The true value of a #partnership lies in the ability to collaborate on new projects, driving success and creating meaningful impact. Together with WorldSkills UK, the Centre of Excellence in partnership with NCFE and Autodesk Technology Centers Birmingham, UK, we’ve launched the first in a series of technical masterclasses designed to equip educators and trainers with the tools, insights, and networks they need to inspire and prepare the next generation of #engineers and #designers. This initiative is focused on empowering young talent and shaping the future of skills, innovation, and creativity. #Educators from across the UK gained hands-on insights from Training Managers, Industry Leaders, and Ex-Worldskills Competitors. They were also supported by practical resources from our incredible Autodesk Learning Partners: ARKANCE CREATE Education Project 3DGBIRE Symetri Europe and by our lectures and speakers Bryn Jones; Steven Taylor; Lee Pratt; Justin Barnes; Craig Snell; Stephen Williams; Geraint Rowlands; Oscar M.; Eva Voma. WorldSkills UK, a member of WorldSkills International, is not just an event - it’s a movement that unites educators, industries, and governments to prepare young people for tomorrow’s challenges. Through our 19-year partnership with WorldSkills International, we remain committed to supporting tomorrow’s leaders, designers, and makers at international, regional, and national levels. As a #globalleader in software for designers, engineers, builders, and creators, our sponsorship of diverse skills across industries enables students to bring their ideas to life using the same tools trusted by professionals. With free access to Autodesk software, we equip students with the tools and skills they need to succeed in shaping the world around us. I would like to thank Ben Blackledge; Emma Roberts; Parisa Shirazi; Andy Knight; Greg Houghton; Cerian Ayres & Kate Monoloughney OConnell from WorldSkills UK for your time, engagement, and support. Your contributions are truly appreciated! A huge thank you to Iwan Roberts and the Autodesk team, who dared to try something new and went the #extramile with us. Astrid Øie; Laura Lumezi; Harriet Trevor-Allen; Mariah Oscar (Kolodziej); Nick Hill; Christopher Cooper; William Siggee; Josh Reader; Elliott Griffiths, PhD; Mike Westlake; Donny Wong; Oliver Spencer; Gurpreet Khela and everyone I may have overlooked. Thank you for driving meaningful change and shaping brighter futures. #teamwork! Let’s keep inspiring and innovating to #makeanything! ✨ #education #worldskills #futureleaders Additional gratitude goes to Mary Hope McQuiston; Katie Berlent; Kyra W.; Natalie Staines; Steph Ricks and Herbert Bickelmann for the trust and confidence you have fostered within this team.

👏 👏 This is a brilliant read, for any employers that want to learn more about the benefits of investing in the next generation, or for any young person that wants to know more about what is possible with the right level of dedication, passion and a supportive employer... 🎯 🏅 Cameron Pinder, a CNC Machinist Apprentice at Kirkstall Precision Engineering, won Gold at the 2024 WorldSkills UK National Finals in November. Competing in the highly challenging #CNC #Milling category, Cameron showcased not only his technical ability but also his dedication and passion for engineering. Winning gold at the event, Cameron became a source of immense pride for the entire Kirkstall Precision team. The company believe his achievement highlights the importance of nurturing young talent, and it reinforces their commitment to fostering the next generation of #engineers through their #apprenticeship scheme by investing in professional and skills development. As Kirkstall Precision CEO Adam Thornton noted, “Cameron’s win at WorldSkills isn’t just a personal triumph—it’s a testament to the culture of excellence we strive to build every day at Kirkstall. His dedication reflects the very best of what our team stands for.” Cameron’s journey, from local apprentice to national champion, is an inspiring story that we explore in the below article... https://lnkd.in/e2ppSQ42

Did you see that last year we launched our Local Skills Competition Endorsement Framework, advancing our commitment to raising standards in technical and vocational education? For the first time, organisations can access expert guidance to run local skills competitions, helping students and apprentices develop their technical and employability skills to new heights. Benefits include: - Benchmarking against national and international standards - Access to WorldSkills UK resources - Formal recognition through digital badges This framework builds on our success at #WorldSkillsLyon2024, where the UK ranked 10th globally. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/g8gXxCTm

It was fantastic to welcome educators to our Centre of Excellence event in #engineering, in partnership with Autodesk and NCFE. Chief Executive Officer at WorldSkills UK, Ben Blackledge, confirmed that we are committed to sharing international best practice to help meet the demands for a highly skilled workforce and our past competitors shared how competing has helped drive their careers forward  #cncmilling #additivemanufacturing #industrialelectronics #MCAD

First trip of the year and what a privilege to go to Birmingham to visit Autodesk - fantastic partners with WorldSkills UK - for our technical masterclass on all things digital and engineering. Great to see so many educators in the room thinking about how a combination of Autodesk technology and WorldSkills UK programmes can progress their training offer for young people and help employers get the high quality skills they need. Thank you Dorothee Anne Schmid With Ben Blackledge Parisa Shirazi Andy Knight