Selected and trained in skills excellence by WorldSkills UK in partnership with Pearson, the world’s lifelong learning company, 26 competitors will represent Team UK competing across 24 skill competitions in WorldSkills Shanghai this September.
Supporting the Government’s drive to position the UK as an epicentre of excellence in engineering and manufacturing, Team UK will also compete in Mechatronics, Industry 4.0, Electrical Installation, Mechanical Engineering CAD, CNC Milling and Web Technologies.
The 3D Digital Game Artist draws, models, and animates in different styles depending on the type of game, and is responsible for every aspect, from taking a designer’s brief to using creative, technical, and specialist skills to deliver a marketable game. The challenge is to take a concept and transform it into a 3D mesh which harnesses a wide range of skill sets from good geometry decisions to symmetry and texture.
The artist needs a full understanding of concept art skills and animation as well as the ability to create and animate game characters. The gaming sector continues to experience tremendous growth with the best artists able to lead art teams that push the boundaries on creativity, using the latest technology to design captivating animated experiences.

Name: Paul Browne
Employer: Cheshire College South and West

Name: Logan Cook
Skill: 3D Digital Game Art
Hometown: Newport, Wales
Training provider: Coleg Gwent
Pearson Qualification: BTEC
Additive Manufacturing can be a more agile way to create strong and complex objects, such as prototypes, for industry and designers, and with less waste.
Working in Addictive Manufacturing requires a new approach to design and manufacturing. This includes a thorough understanding of the equipment for 3D printing and scanning, and the characteristics of the materials used, along with applied mathematics, geometry, and Computer Aided Design and Engineering (CAD and CAE). An understanding and imagination for the potential future uses of this technology is essential.

Name: Bryn Jones
Employer: Grwp Llandrillo Menai

Name: Oliver Coombs
Skill: Additive Manufacturing
Hometown: Bath
Training provider: Bath College
Employer: BIMTek
Pearson Qualification: BTEC
A high level of expertise is needed to make sure that aircraft are serviced to rigorous quality and safety standards. An aircraft maintenance technician may specialize in vehicles like helicopters, UAVs (Unmanned Aeronautical Vehicles), or tilt wing aircraft.
The skill calls for technical troubleshooting, repairing, and maintenance of all types of aircraft. As part of a growing and mobile global industry that is increasingly venturing into space, the aircraft maintenance technician will find that the sky is no longer the limit.

Name: James Callaghan
Employer: Royal Navy

Name: Elyot Harmston
Skill: Aircraft Maintenance
Hometown: Biggleswade Bedfordshire
Employer: The Shuttleworth Collection
Pearson Qualification: BTEC
The autobody repairer needs professional expertise to diagnose the damage to the vehicle and then use a variety of machinery and tools, including welding skills, to make the repair. You need a good knowledge of the range of metals, composites, and plastics used in the manufacture of vehicles in order to restore them to a roadworthy condition.

Name: James Brown
Employer: Self Employed

Name: Joe Wilton
Skill: Autobody Repair
Hometown: Ballymena, Northern Ireland
Training Provider: Riverpark Training
Employer: SDM Paintwork
Pearson Qualification: BTEC
Beauty Therapy work includes a variety of skills from nail and skin care to body massage and make-up expertise.
Beauty therapists work in close contact with their clients and that relationship is at the heart of the job. In addition to demonstrating a wide range of beauty treatment the role also has a therapeutic element which can help the client’s sense of well-being and self-esteem.

Name: Hayley Huxtable
Employer: Beauty Therapy Consultant

Name: Neve Dunn
Skill: Beauty Therapy
Hometown: South Sheilds
Training Provider: Tyne Coast College
Employer: Crown Hair & Beauty
Bricklaying is a skill that can be said to be the building block of much of our world. The bricklayer works on everything from our homes to commercial buildings and the walls that surround them.
It is an occupation that requires an ability to follow building design plans precisely through measuring and then constructing in strict accordance with the architect’s plans and local government regulations. It is equally important to execute those plans with high quality professional bricklaying skills.

Name: Stephen Chapman
Employer: Southern Regional College

Name: Joseph Shingler
Skill: Bricklaying
Hometown: Shrewsbury
Training Provider: Shrewsbury College
Employer: Shingler Group
Craftsmanship is at the heart of cabinetmaking. In an age of mass production the cabinetmaker produces lasting work designed to be appreciated for many generations. Cabinetmakers must combine creativity and innovation with precision and accuracy and demonstrate a high appreciation of how to use the beauty of wood to best effect.

Name: Christian Notley MBE
Employer: WorldSkills UK

Name: Stanley Mackintosh
Skill: Cabinet Making
Hometown: Norwich
Training provider: Rycotewood College
Employer: Bill Cleyndert and Company
Vehicles scratched, dented, or damaged in accidents must be returned to the road in showroom condition, with the repaired areas exactly matching the rest of the exterior colour and quality.
Car painters need to demonstrate great skills in matching paints with the original colour, or on occasion repainting the vehicle in a completely new colour. They must also apply these paints, undercoats and sealants in an environmentally safe and healthy work environment.

Name: Richard Wheeler
Employer: Coleg Gwent

Name: Oisin McKerr
Skill: Car Painting
Hometown: Lurgan, Northern Ireland
Training provider: Southern Regional College
Employer: Porters Body Shop
Chemical Laboratory technicians study substances to determine their chemical composition for research or to develop products. They use various tools and methods to analyse natural and synthetic materials, as well as performing qualitative and quantitative tests using modern chemical and physico-chemical analytical methods. They need to be well-versed in chemistry and must have adequate knowledge of biology and physics. Critical thinking, time management, decision making, and problem-solving skills are also necessary for this career. Chemical Laboratory technicians should be able to act logically and systematically, complying with sanitary and hygienic requirements and occupational safety and health standards.

Name: Deirdre Murray
Employer: Southern Regional College

Name: Michael Hughes
Employer: University of Manchester

Name: Ruth Douglas
Skill: Chemical Laboratory Technician
Hometown: Banbridge, Northern Ireland
Training provider: Southern Regional College
Employer: Almac
Many of the appliances and objects we use every day depend on Computer Numeric Control (CNC) Milling. It is a highly sophisticated piece of machinery that creates components using precise cutting tools.
The machinist must be able to understand complex technical drawings, and have knowledge and experience of computer skills and software in order to become a skilled machine operator with an understanding of how various metals behave during the cutting process.

Name: Adam Youens
Employer: Coleg Cambria

Name: Tomas Ankers
Skill: CNC Milling
Hometown: Wrexham, Wales
Training provider: Coleg Cambria
Employer: Electroimpact
Pearson Qualification: BTEC
Electricians are needed wherever there is electricity. They can expect to work in homes, offices, factories, and even farms, carrying out maintenance and repairs, and sometimes designing and installing new systems.
Given the risks associated with electricity, offering a safe and reliable service to customers is paramount. Electricians need to have an intimate knowledge of the latest safety standards and work to a strict code of safety conduct.

Name: Mitchel Smith
Employer: NICEIC

Name: Jonathan Gough
Skill: Electrical Installation
Hometown: Waringstown, Northern Ireland
Training provider: Southern Regional College
Employer: Self-Employed
Pearson Qualification: BTEC
A visit to the hairdresser can be much more than a quick trim. It can involve styling, colouring, and using special treatments. You work closely with your clients and it’s important to have good people and communication skills in addition to a full range of professional hairdressing skills.
The hairdresser is expected to understand different types of hair, to interpret the client’s wishes, and work safely with the products involved.

Name: Linzi Weare
Employer: Reds Hair Company

Name: Katie Sime
Skill: Hairdressing
Hometown: Forest of Dean
Training provider: Reds Hair Company
Employer: Reds Hair Company
Pearson Qualification: BTEC
A health and social care practitioner delivers health support from initial care to rehabilitation. Through building a close relationship with medical practitioners they are able to support patients and their families to ensure their holistic care needs are met.
Health and social care practitioners will have strong social skills as they work extensively with patients. They will also need a well developed emotional intelligence to handle some of the more challenging patients and the distress of bereavement.

Name: Sau Man Li
Employer: JS Consultants

Name: Grace Longden
Skill: Health & Social Care
Hometown: Macclesfield
Training provider: Macclesfield College / Keele University
When we talk about Industry 4.0, we mean the impact information and communication technologies (ICT) are having on real-time optimization and networking for efficient automation and production. This is sometimes also called the “fourth industrial revolution”.
It is the role of the Digital Production Systems Technician to implement Industry 4.0 in businesses, designing and implementing systems, introducing both software and hardware, and supporting programmes, especially cybersecurity.
A Digital Production Systems Technician must be continually aware of changes and recognize advances in technology means they must be continually learning.
They must understand the business case for implementing Industry 4.0 and design systems accordingly. They should combine strong technical knowledge with an eye on future industry developments, while being constantly aware of risk and security.

Name: Marcin Regulski
Employer: Wago UK & Ireland

Name: Caolan McCartan
Skill: Industry 4.0
Hometown: Newry, Northern Ireland
Training provider: Southern Regional College

Name: Patrick Sheerin
Skill: Industry 4.0
Hometown: Portadown, Northern Ireland
Training provider: Southern Regional College
Employer: A J Power
For the IT Network Systems Administrator, the work environment can range from data centres to network operations centres, internet service providers and data centres like climate-controlled server rooms. The ability to communicate, problem solve, and research and understand the latest industry developments is paramount.

Name: Nitheesh Kaliyamurthy
Employer: University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Name: Charlie Priestley
Skill: IT Network Systems Administration
Hometown: Aberdeen, Scotland
Training provider: North East Scotland College / Robert Gordon University
Employer: North East Scotland College
Working from drawings, the joiner’s task is to measure and cut joints then assemble, install, and finish to a high standard.
They are mostly workshop based, but some projects will take place on building sites or in the homes of customers.
Joinery is closely associated with cabinetmaking and carpentry, and other areas of the construction industry.

Name: Andrew Pengelly
Employer: Self-Employed

Name: Jamie Matthews
Skill: Joinery
Hometown: Ballyclare, Norhern Ireland
Training provider: Northern Regional College
Employer: Mivan
Computer aided design (CAD) uses specialist software to create two and three dimensional images and animations of projects both in manufacturing and for use in advertising and technical manuals.
CAD can convey many types of information, including dimensions, types of material, and tolerances and is essential in offering solutions to both engineering and manufacturing problems.
By producing photorealistic animations and videos, it can simulate how a design will actually function in the real world.

Name: Andrew Beel
Employer: Howden

Name: Stuart Lyons
Skill: Mechanical Engineering: CAD
Hometown: Lanark, Scotland
Training provider: New College Lanarkshire
Employer: Glacier Energy
Mechatronics includes mechanics, pneumatics, electronically controlled systems, programming, and robotics and systems development.
It is the job of the mechatronics technician to combine these areas to design, build, maintain, and repair automated equipment, and programme equipment control systems.
As well as factory assembly lines, mechatronics is used in everything from bottling machines to supermarket cash till and belt assemblies.

Name: Calum Knott
Employer: Didactic Services Ltd

Name: Emily Bettridge
Skill: Mechatronics
Hometown: Nottingham
Training provider: Toyota Manufacturing UK
Employer: Toyota Manufacturing UK

Name: Liz Hopkinson
Skill: Mechatronics
Hometown: Alfreton, Derbyshire
Training provider: Toyota Manufacturing UK
Employer: Toyota Manufacturing UK
The services of the painter and decorator are needed everywhere from homes to public buildings, factories, and offices.
Painters and decorators can expect to offer professional advice on colours and designs and employ a wide range of finishing skills.
Painting and decorating is a creative job that requires a sense of design as well as the core skills of painting, decorative coatings, and gilding.

Name: Mike Swan
Employer: Dundee and Angus College

Name: Shelby Fitzakerly
Skill: Painting and Decorating
Hometown: Accrington, Lancashire
Training provider: Accrington and Rossendale College
Employer: SPAIN Building and Maintenance
We all depend on plumbing and heating technicians for hot and cold fresh running water in our homes and offices and for staying warm in cold weather.
Plumbing and heating technicians need to be able to plan and design systems, then install and test them. On occasion they will also need to diagnose faults and make repairs.
The plumbing and heating technician works both indoors and outdoors, in homes, and in commercial projects as a key part of the construction industry.

Name: Ronnie Ferris
Employer: Self-Employed

Name: Andrew McCann
Skill: Plumbing and Heating
Hometown: Aughnacloy, Northern Ireland
Training provider: South West College
Employer: South West College and AMC Plumbing and Heating Services
The refrigeration and air conditioning engineer is responsible for the design, installation, maintenance, and repair of both systems.
Their work involves domestic and commercial settings, as well as including the construction and transportation sectors, for example in ships and trucks.
Finding solutions to issues involving climate and the environment are the biggest issues for engineers in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry.

Name: Mark Forsyth
Employer: Coriolis International

Name: Samuel Jones
Skill: Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Hometown: Ashton, Wigan
Training provider: PRTC Burnley
Employer: Industrial Cooling Equipment Ltd
Renewable Energy is central to solving our current climate crisis and ensuring the health and growth of future economies. It uses a wide range of sources to supply power, from wind and water to solar power, organic matter, and even geothermal heat from the earth’s core.
Problem-solving skills are essential, along with a detailed knowledge of the different technologies and the tools needed to work on them. Physical strength is needed to lift heavy equipment and operate power tools while following health and safety rules.

Name: Chris Turnbull
Employer: Didactic Services Ltd

Name: Madeleine Warburton
Skill: Renewable Energy
Hometown: Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire
Training provider: Grwp Coleg Menai
Employer: RWE
For a memorable meal the quality of the service is something that guests often remember as much as the food and drink served.
That means that restaurant servers must show extensive knowledge of all types of cuisine and dishes, especially the ingredients and cooking style of the dishes on an a la carte menu. They will need to know and understand the methods of preparation and serving, along with the tools used.
Regardless of whether it is a self-service cafeteria or a five star hotel restaurant good manners, a smart appearance, and impeccable personal hygiene are equally essential.

Name: Dr Shyam Patiar
Employer: Self-Employed

Name: Ian Whitaker
Employer: Bean 2 Work CIC

Name: Yuliia Batrak
Skill: Restaurant Services
Hometown: Llandudno, Wales
Training provider: Grwp Llandrillo Menai
Employer: St George’s Hotel
Working with web technologies is a key skill in a world that increasingly places the web at the heart of a modern platform. It is also one of the most complex and diverse of all skills.
Web designers and developers will first establish a professional relationship with clients to develop a deep understanding of the requirements for their website. Strong design and communication skills, coupled with a grasp of target audiences, markets, and trends are all essential. During the development process, web designers and developers create databases, build programmes, as well as test and debug websites.

Name: Valentin Adamescu
Employer: University of Portsmouth

Name: Finn Gallagher
Skill: Web Technologies
Hometown: Cardiff, Wales
Training provider: Cardiff University
Pearson Qualification: BTEC