Between 24-26 June 2014, over 160 of the UK’s most talented apprentices and learners battled it out over three days of intense competition in Northern Ireland with the hope of securing a place in Squad UK for WorldSkills Sao Paulo 2015. The Squad UK selections took place at Belfast Metropolitan College’s Titanic campus, CAFRE’s Greenmount campus and Northern Regional College’s Ballymena and Newtownabbey campuses.
Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry said: “The selection of Northern Ireland Colleges to showcase the best of UK skills is an acknowledgement of the high quality skills in professional and technical areas, coupled with the state-of-the-art facilities in the FE sector in Northern Ireland. The competitions showcased the high levels of performance that can be achieved by individuals and organisations through quality training, inspiring young people and adults to be ambitious in their pursuit of skills to the highest level.
“There was a series of fringe events during the competitions to promote vocational excellence and encourage employers and future apprentices to get involved. 160 competitors which include 30 young people from here were involved in an intense week of skills competitions, seeking an opportunity to represent the UK at WorldSkills 2015 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.”
The competitors, all of whom were under 25 years of age, were invited to take part in the selection process for Squad UK after excelling at the WorldSkills UK National Competitions. The event brought up to 400 visitors to Northern Ireland including over 130 GB competitors, WorldSkills UK judges, training managers, performance coaches, employers and competitors’ family members.
The Minister continued: “Last year I launched a new £1.5million Skills Collaboration Fund to create employment and learning opportunities. A dedicated amount of this Fund was used to provide intensive training for individuals who had demonstrated outstanding skills in their chosen profession, or had the future potential to represent Northern Ireland as part of Team UK at Worldskills 2015 and beyond. Financial incentives were also available to colleges and employers who support skills competitions.”
“Northern Ireland's success in skills competitions, particularly Worldskills, in recent years, clearly demonstrates the commitment to excellence shown by our young people, their employers and trainers. This important selection event not only showcased our training infrastructure but also welcomed over 400 delegates to Northern Ireland.”
Keith Smith, Official Delegate, WorldSkills UK said:"By taking part in international competitions, the UK is able to showcase the high levels of performance that can be achieved by individuals and organisations through high quality further education, skills training and Apprenticeships. I offer my congratulations to everyone who was selected to compete in the Squad UK Selection for WorldSkills Sao Paulo 2015."
WorldSkills is the world’s largest international skills competition. The next WorldSkills takes place from 11-16 August 2015 in Sao Paulo. Held every two years in cities around the globe, the competition sees around 1000 young people come together to compete for medals in more than 40 skills ranging from Bricklaying to Industrial Electronics and Aircraft Maintenance.
Participating in WorldSkills enables countries to share best practise in apprenticeships and vocational teaching, raising standards on a global scale. Squad and Team UK is managed by WorldSkills UK, part of Find a Future. For more information please visit www.worldskillsuk.org
