Our partnership with WorldSkills UK

We are proud to continue our partnership with WorldSkills UK, as the UK confirms its place at the 48th WorldSkills Competition, set to take the global stage in Shanghai, China, in September 2026.

New and returning skills, reflect the growing demand from employers across fast-evolving sectors, highlighting the crucial role WorldSkills UK plays in championing the future skills that drive innovation, investment, and business growth.

Learn more about our partnership

What is WorldSkills?

Known as the "Skills Olympics", WorldSkills is a global movement that champions excellence in vocational skills through international collaboration, training, and assessment.

It sets global benchmarks, raises industry standards, and empowers young people to build world-class careers.

Watch the WorldSkills Lyon 2024 Highlights

WorldSkills Shanghai 2026

Meet the talented competitors representing the UK in Shanghai this September, where they will go head-to-head with the best from around the world. Discover their stories, their dedication, and how they are showcasing the strength and future potential of UK skills on the global stage.

Previous Competitors

Learn more about former WorldSkills UK team members who studied a Pearson qualification, and explore how their training and experiences have shaped their professional paths and achievements.

Rosie Boddy

Rosie competed in Aircraft Maintenance at the 2024 WorldSkills competition. Her passion for the aviation industry began when she left school, prompting her to embark on an apprenticeship with Airbus and complete a BTEC in Aeronautical Engineering.

Edie Hanna

After being inspired by volunteering in a children's hospital, Edie decided to study a BTEC in Health and Social Care. During her time at College, her tutor introduced her to WorldSkills UK.

Charlie Carson

Charlie discovered Robot Systems Integration through Northern Regional College when he was completing his BTEC in Engineering.

Ruby Pile

Ruby, who has completed a BTEC National at Level 3 and BTEC Higher Nationals at Levels 4 and 5 in Hospitality, is now working full-time at the internationally renowned Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa. She competed in Restaurant Services at the 2024 WorldSkills competition.

Simonas Brasas

Simonas is currently at Kingston University, studying for a BEng (Hons) in Aerospace Engineering with Space Technology. Prior to this, he completed a BTEC in Engineering. Simonas competed in Industry 4.0 at the 2024 WorldSkills competition.

Mark Kiss

Moving to London with his family almost three years ago, Mark was determined to study computing and secured a place to study a BTEC in IT at the College of North West London. He competed in Web Technologies at the 2024 WorldSkills competition.

Rachael Carr

Rachael Carr, a former competitor from 2011 WorldSkills shares how her BTECs and WorldSkills UK training equipped her with world-class skills that she still applies in her everyday life and has contributed to her career development at BAE Systems.

Hayden Jakes MBE

Haydn has had inspiring journey, from winning gold at the 2019 WorldSkills competition to completing his Pearson BTEC, to being appointed an MBE and now working with the Royal Air Force.

Stanley Mackintosh

Skill: Cabinet Making
Hometown: Norwich
Training provider: Rycotewood Furniture College
Employer: Bill Cleyndert and Company

medallion for excellence

Tomas Ankers

Current BTEC Learner

Skill: CNC Milling
Hometown: Wrexham, Wales
Training provider: Coleg Cambria
Employer: Electroimpact

Gabrielle Wilson

Former BTEC Learner

Skill: Cooking
Hometown: Rhayader, Wales
Training provider: NPTC Group of Colleges
Employer: Chapters Restaurant

Jonathan Gough

Former BTEC Learner

Skill: Electrical Installation
Hometown: Waringstown, Co. Down, Northern Ireland
Training provider: Southern Regional College
Employer: MD Electrics

Evan Klimaszewski

Former BTEC Learner

Skill: Electronics
Hometown: Holyhead, Wales
Training provider: Grwp Llandrillo Menai
Employer: Lockhead Martin UK

Melody Cheung

Skill: Graphic Design
Hometown: Port Talbot, Wales
Training provider: Bridgend College

medallion for excellence

Katie Sime

Skill: Hairdressing
Hometown: Forest of Dean
Training provider: Reds Hair Company
Employer: Reds Hair Company

Grace Longden

Skill: Health & Social Care
Hometown: Macclesfield
Training provider: Macclesfield College

BRONZE WINNER

Patrick Sheerin

Skill: Industry 4.0
Hometown: Portadown, Co, Armagh, Northern Ireland
Training provider: Southern Regional College
Employer: A J Power

BRONZE WINNER

Caolan McCartan

Skill: Industry 4.0
Hometown: Newry, Northern Ireland
Training provider: Southern Regional College
Employer: Pronto Engineering Group

John Doherty

Skill: Mechatronics
Hometown: Armagh, Northern Ireland
Training provider: Southern Regional College
Employer: Norbrook Laboratories Limited

Jason McVerry

Skill: Mechatronics
Hometown: Armagh, Northern Ireland
Training provider: Southern Regional College
Employer: Redrock Machinery

medallion for excellence

Andrew McCann

Skill: Plumbing & Heating
Hometown: Aughnacloy, Co.Tyrone, Northern Ireland
Training provider: South West College

medallion for excellence

Yuliia Batrak

Skill: Restaurant Services
Hometown: Colwyn Bay, Wales
Training provider: Grwp Llandrillo Menai
Employer: St George’s Hotel

Finn Gallagher

Former BTEC Learner

Skill: Web Technologies
Hometown: Sailsbury
Training provider: Cardiff University

Stuart Lyons

Skill: Mechanical Engineering: CAD
Hometown: Lanark, Scotland
Training provider: New College Lanarkshire

Jamie Matthews

Skill: Joinery
Hometown: Ballyclare, Co.Antrim Norhern Ireland
Training provider: Northern Regional College
Employer: Mivan

medallion for excellence

Shelby Fitzakerly

Skill: Painting & Decorating
Hometown: Accrington
Training provider: Accrington and Rossendale College
Employer: SPAIN Building and Maintenance

Luke Roberts

Skill: Welding
Hometown: Haverford West, Wales
Training provider: Pembrokeshire College
Employer: Haven Engineering

Together, let’s shape the future of skills

We believe the conversation about the future of jobs and skills is one of the most important in education. Understanding more about the future of work is core to Pearson’s mission of helping people make progress in their lives through learning.

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