A YOUNG man from Flintshire has represented North Wales at the WorldSkills UK National Finals. 

Welsh competitors from North Wales collected 11 medals for showcasing outstanding talent in their industry during this month’s WorldSkills UK National Finals.

Over 400 young people from across Wales, England, Northern Ireland and Scotland battled it out in a series of challenges to be named best in the UK for their vocational skill.

Team Wales came home triumphant, with 51 out of 115 strong Welsh competitors winning medals, including 8 gold, 21 silver, 15 bronze, and 7 highly commended.

In addition to winning Gold in Restaurant Services, North Wales students excelled in STEM, and scooped medals in Aircraft Maintenance, Automotive Finishing, Industrial Robotics, IT Support Technician and Welding.

Theo Holloway works in Deeside and competed in the CNC Milling category this year.

He said: "Skills competitions are exciting because they allow you to put your skills to the test, compete against other talented people, and learn from the experience.

"The thrill of the competition, the opportunity to test your skills and push you to your limits, and the camaraderie among participants are all exciting aspects. The most significant advantage of competing is the opportunity to excel, improve your skills, and gain valuable experience.”

The official results were announced at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall during a medal ceremony, with the city also hosting a series of national competitions at colleges, independent training providers and universities.

MOST READ:

Partly funded by the Welsh Government and run by a dedicated network of colleges, work-based learning providers and employer-led organisations, WorldSkills UK aims to inspire and upskill future generations by developing young people’s vocational skills while celebrating their achievements.  

Ben Blackledge, Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK said: “It is fantastic to see Team Wales triumphing at the WorldSkills UK National Finals once again this year.

“Our finals not only celebrate the best in young talent but also provide a vital opportunity to see how the skill development in the UK stacks up both domestically and against our international neighbours. 

“Skills will continue to be a key differentiator for business both at home and abroad and through our programmes we are working to ensure that all apprentices and students across the UK can gain access to high-quality technical education and apprenticeships that lead to real success for them and the UK as a whole.”