Very few people can say they’ve represented their country in both sport and skills—but Grace is one of them. Fresh from taking part in the triathlon at the European Championship in Turkey this August, Grace will then join Team UK to compete in Health and Social Care at EuroSkills Herning 2025 in September.
“Training for EuroSkills is just like preparing for a sporting event—it takes discipline, focus, and relentless practice. You’ve got to build your technique, stay mentally strong, and perform under pressure. Whether it’s on the track or in the competition arena, success comes down to the same thing: putting in the work and pushing yourself to be the best” explains Grace.
With family members working in health and social care, Grace always had an interest in following in their footsteps. She originally wanted to be a paramedic but when researching qualifications, Grace came across T Levels. Struck by how the qualification balanced academic and practical assessments, providing a good foundation on which you can complete further study or launch your career, Grace started studying at Macclesfield College. It was here that Grace was introduced to WorldSkills UK Competitions.
“From my triathlon training, I would say I’m naturally competitive, so I was intrigued by the idea of skills competitions. After taking part in the regional qualifiers, I realised that the competitions were really helping me build the exact skills—technical ability, problem-solving, and working under pressure – that I needed to succeed in my T Level and the workplace. I’ve definitely grown in confidence because of WorldSkills UK.”
Success in the WorldSkills UK National Finals where she won Gold in the Health and Social Care competition, confirmed what Grace already knew: choosing T Levels was the best move for her career.
Grace has her sights set on university to study Health Care—and she’s confident that the skills she’s sharpening through the EuroSkills and WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 training programmes will set her apart. From technical knowledge to resilience under pressure, she knows this experience is giving her the foundation to thrive in both her studies and future career.
Follow Grace’s journey @WorldSkills UK
Pearson is the official partner of Team UK for EuroSkills Herning 2025 and WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.
Find out how the WorldSkills UK Learning Lab can support apprentices and learners.
