When Stanley Ingham was first introduced to WorldSkills UK by his tutor from Burnley College, he had little idea just how far the experience would take him.
“I didn’t really know what it was at first. I thought it was just a small competition. I had no idea how far it could actually take me.”
What started as a tutor’s recommendation quickly became a journey of personal and professional development. Competing in 3D Game Art, Stanley progressed through the WorldSkills UK competition programme, eventually reaching the 2024 National Finals.
Despite making it to the national stage, winning a medal was far from his expectations.
“I genuinely didn’t think I’d won anything. I wasn’t expecting to come away with a medal at all.”
The pressure of competition proved challenging, but Stanley drew on his previous experience and focused on what he knew he could do. His determination paid off, earning him a Bronze medal.
Stanley’s journey continued when he was selected for Squad UK. Stepping into the programme brought a new challenge. He had very limited experience with the software used in WorldSkills 3D competitions.
“I had to teach myself the software beforehand for the Back to Basics training. Everyone else had been using it for much longer, whereas I only had about three weeks of experience with the programme. Despite that, I still managed to get through.”
The experience was intimidating at first, but it became an opportunity to develop his ability to learn independently, a skill that would prove invaluable during the final year of his studies at the University of Greater Manchester, where he studied 3D Game Art.
“My technical skills have exploded, to be honest. My ability to teach myself and learn independently has grown so much through the WorldSkills UK experience, and that became really valuable throughout my final year of university.”
The impact of WorldSkills UK extended beyond technical skills. Through training, competitions and bootcamps, Stanley gained confidence, met people from different industries and developed a wider professional network.
“Personally, my confidence has grown massively, whether that’s meeting new people, travelling across the country or putting myself in situations I wouldn’t have been comfortable with before.”
For Stanley, the bootcamps were a particular highlight. Bringing competitors from different skills together created opportunities to meet people he would otherwise never have encountered.
“I loved the bootcamps because I got to speak to people who I otherwise would never have met.”
Having recently graduated from the University of Greater Manchester with a degree in 3D Game Art, Stanley has already begun taking his first steps into the games industry.
He recently started a three-month contract with Rezzil, a Manchester-based games company, where he has been able to put the skills developed through WorldSkills UK directly into practice.
“Since starting at Rezzil, I’ve found myself using pretty much every skill I developed throughout my WorldSkills journey. It’s been amazing to see how much of what I learned translates directly into working in the industry. I’ve also been consistently complimented on both the speed and quality of my work, which has really shown me just how valuable the experience has been.”
For Stanley, the opportunity has reinforced the importance of the technical skills, efficiency and adaptability he developed throughout the competition programme. Working in a professional environment has allowed him to see first-hand how the demands of WorldSkills UK training translate into real industry expectations.
While the games industry can be competitive, the experience has given Stanley greater confidence in his abilities and reinforced that he is moving in the right direction.
His WorldSkills UK journey has also helped him build valuable industry connections, meeting professionals and expanding his network through the programme.
“I’ve met other industry professionals through this and connected with them on LinkedIn. It’s been a great way to start building my professional network.”
Having experienced first-hand the opportunities that WorldSkills UK can provide, Stanley has now become a WorldSkills UK Skills Champion.
For him, becoming a Skills Champion is about giving back and sharing the experience he has gained through the programme.
“I want to give back and share what I’ve learned, providing support and knowledge to the next people coming through the WorldSkills UK journey.”
It is a role that reflects how far Stanley has come, from someone who initially thought WorldSkills UK was simply a small competition to someone who has competed nationally, developed his technical and personal skills, built an industry network and begun applying those skills professionally within the games industry.
For anyone considering entering a WorldSkills UK competition, Stanley has a simple message: embrace the opportunity and be prepared to put the work in.
“You get out what you put in. If you’re willing to work hard and put the effort in, people will support you and help you along the way. You just have to embrace the opportunity and give it everything you’ve got.”
Stanley’s journey shows how saying yes to an opportunity can lead to far more than a medal. From discovering WorldSkills UK through his tutor at Burnley College to developing the technical skills, confidence and professional connections that are now helping him succeed at Rezzil.
Now, as a WorldSkills UK Skills Champion, he hopes to use his experience to inspire and support the next generation of competitors.
