Team UK Triumphs

UK entrants set new records for their performance at WorldSkills London 2011, with 13 winning medals and a further dozen receiving medallions of excellence in recognition their work, reports Matthew Valentine

WorldSkills London 2011 was the largest ever vocational skills competition and careers event. More than 200,000 UK visitors visited, while competitors from 51 countries put their skills to the test against their peers.

Over its 60-year history, WorldSkills International (formerly known as the 'Skill Olympics') has come to symbolise the pinnacle of excellence in vocational training. Every two years, hundreds of young skilled people, accompanied by teachers and trainers, gather to compete before the public in the skills of their various trades and test themselves against demanding international standards.

A broad spread of categories at every WorldSkills event means that visitors can check out a host of career options. Alongside engineering categories, the competition includes everything from landscape gardening and healthcare to hairdressing, graphic design and IT skills. Visitors can try their hand at many of the tasks on display, as well as watching the competitors show off their expertise.

Competitors in the engineering, science and manufacturing categories accounted for five of the 13 medals brought home by Team UK this year (see box). "It's great to see such a positive return," says Semta chief executive Philip Whiteman. "The enthusiasm and commitment of the young people involved deserved the outstanding result for our UK entrants on the podium. The competition demonstrates the international calibre of the UK engineering, manufacturing and science students, trainees and apprentices, and I hope this year's result will go a long way towards encouraging other young people to think about the opportunities that are available in our sectors."

Competitors at the event have given it their backing, too. "I believe engineers shape the world we live in and I wanted to be part of that, creating and working with new technologies," says Andrew Fielding, electronics competitor from MBDA.

But support for the event did not stop there. Prime Minister David Cameron was among the high-profile visitors to WorldSkills London 2011, in a bid to show the government's support for both the engineering sector and for investing in vocational skills to help future economic growth.
The PM toured the event, tried his hand at mobile robotics with a representative from Middlesex University, and spoke to school and college children from across the UK. He also met members of the largest ever Team UK.

"I'm absolutely delighted that London is hosting the biggest WorldSkills Competition in its sixty year history," enthused Cameron at the event. "Standing here is so inspiring. To see almost 1,000 young people from more than 50 countries competing to be the best of the best. Not just in one skill, but in more than 40 skills…. It's great, too, for me that the UK is able to show off the skills and diversity of our own young people. What they have all achieved here sets a fantastic example for other young people."

Aidan Jones, chief executive of WorldSkills London 2011, said of the event: "Skills shape our world and there has never been a more important time to hold WorldSkills in our country. We are delighted that politicians and dignitaries from across the UK – and indeed the world – have joined us to recognise the very best young talent in key skill areas."

John Hayes, Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, took the opportunity of his visit to WorldSkills to call for industry to celebrate practical learning in the same way it does academic learning. Speaking at the WorldSkills Leaders Forum, Hayes was among a number of delegates discussing the importance of apprenticeships. He said that events such as WorldSkills London 2011 proved that learning and skills can change lives, communities and cultures. "While some may not grasp the significance of practical learning, anyone who visits this event will realise its importance," he said. "Through practical learning, it's not just individuals who can grow, it's whole communities. Nevertheless, I will only consider WorldSkills to be a success, if it creates long-term links."

Hayes announced government plans to further increase investment in apprenticeships. "We must recognise that apprenticeships are playing a greater part in high-tech applications," he said. "The UK must become a high-tech, highly skilled nation, so the government strategy will be to invest in an infrastructure to develop this. We must make it easier for businesses to take on apprentices and remove the red tape; links between employers, trainers and schools must be strengthened; and every employer must be confident that they gain the skills they need from apprentices. The government also plans to introduce measures to make the process less burdensome for SMEs [small to medium enterprises]."

Hayes said that events like WorldSkills helped unite countries and cultures. "All 52 countries entering the skills competitions have been affected by the current economic situation, yet apprenticeship training exists in every one. While run differently, the same basic principles apply – that apprenticeships underpin economic stability. Youngsters must be taught that gaining an apprenticeship is worthwhile and we must celebrate practical learning in the same way as we have academic learning. Let us look with pride at our young people as they are changing all of our futures."
For young visitors, the event proved an ideal opportunity to find out more about potential careers, at a time when they need to make decisions about their futures. The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) was just one of the organisations present to help. It had an interactive stand at the show to tell visitors about opportunities in engineering construction and in sectors such as power generation, whether in nuclear, renewable, oil or gas.
The scale of WorldSkills means that it is likely to be a career-changing event not just for the competitors, but also for many of its visitors. It allows an unparalleled view of possible career options at a crucial point in the education process, not just helping young people to make decisions, but inspiring them to reach for the highest skills levels they can. At a time of such economic uncertainty, when future career paths look rockier than ever, that inspiration provides a beacon to show how investing in skills is an essential choice.

Author
Matthew Valentine

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