In recognition of World Youth Skills Day, which celebrates the importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship, we asked Ruby Pile, former Team UK competitor in Restaurant Service and current Skills Champion, to share her journey. Ruby’s story highlights how developing technical skills, personal growth, and the right mindset can open doors to success and inspire others along the way.
WorldSkills UK: The Foundation of My Skill and Confidence
My journey in restaurant service has been about personal growth as much as skill development. When I began over four years ago, I lacked confidence and struggled deeply with self-doubt. I was quiet and hesitant and often questioned whether I truly belonged in such a competitive and demanding industry. However, I was drawn to the precision, elegance, and human connection that define exceptional service, and that passion kept me going.
The turning point came when I began training seriously for WorldSkills UK. Over two years of intensive preparation followed, during which I worked with performance coaches, confidence mentors, and technical experts who helped me understand that excellence isn’t just about skill, it’s about mindset. With their guidance, I learned how to manage pressure, build resilience, and believe in my ability. Slowly but surely, I started to see changes not just in how I worked, but in who I was.
In 2024, I had the honour of representing my country at WorldSkills in Lyon, competing against over 40 of the world’s best restaurant service professionals, each one the top in their nation. Standing on that stage, I was no longer the shy person who had once doubted myself. I had grown into someone capable of delivering under pressure, leading with confidence, and embracing every challenge. Winning the Best in Nation gold medal was a defining moment, but more powerful than the award itself was the personal transformation it represented.
This journey taught me that change is not only possible but achievable through hard work, reflection, and the right support. A passion for growth now matches my passion for service, and it’s the pursuit of both that continues to drive me forward. Excellence, to me, means never standing still, always striving to improve, and always believing in the potential to evolve.
Recognising Your Journey and Success
WorldSkills UK has been the foundation of my personal and professional growth. After the competition, I entered Cardiff Metropolitan University as a direct entry student to complete my degree in Hotel and Hospitality Management. I spent just eight months at university, but the results were beyond anything I could have imagined. I achieved First Class grades in every single assignment, including 85% in my dissertation, which focused on skill development within the hospitality industry. This academic success was directly linked to the confidence, discipline, and mental resilience I gained through WorldSkills UK.
Before WorldSkills UK, I often doubted my potential. But through years of intense training, independent travel, and high-pressure performance, I developed not only technical expertise but also a strong belief in my ability to succeed. That belief carried me through my academic journey and has now opened the door to incredible professional opportunities. I’ve recently finished university and have already been approached by several major employers in the industry, something I never imagined possible a few years ago.
Yet despite these offers, I’ve decided to travel the world at the end of the year. This choice, too, is rooted in my WorldSkills UK experience. The international exposure, solo training camps, and independence I developed during my preparation gave me the confidence to explore the world. WorldSkills UK taught me that growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone, whether in a competition, classroom, or an entirely new country. It’s given me hope, direction, and the courage to take the next step in my journey, wherever it leads.
Defining Skills Excellence Through Mindset and Mastery
To me, skills excellence is not defined by perfection or talent alone, it is defined by the mindset of someone who refuses to give up. Perseverance is a deeply underrated quality. It’s the quiet strength that keeps you going when no one is watching, when failure feels overwhelming, and when success still feels far away. True excellence shines through the individual who continues to show up, who learns from every setback, and who believes, wholeheartedly, that growth is always possible.
In my experience, failure has been the most powerful teacher. It sits at the very heart of success. Without it, there is no real development, no resilience, and no depth of learning. Every mistake I’ve made has helped shape who I am, and every obstacle I’ve faced has revealed a new layer of strength. That’s what excellence means to me: not just mastering a skill, but mastering the process of becoming.
And at the core of it all is mindset. Everything begins with the mind. Our thoughts, our words, and our beliefs shape the way we experience the world and the outcomes we create. I truly believe the universe reflects back whatever energy you give it. If you carry doubt, it will meet you with resistance. But if you speak with intention, act with belief, and think with positivity, opportunities begin to unfold. Saying “I can do this” is not just self-talk. It is a declaration that shifts your reality.
So, while precision and innovation matter, and pride in your craft is essential, I believe skill excellence is ultimately rooted in perseverance and mindset. It’s about showing up again and again, learning without fear, and believing in your potential even when the journey is uncertain. That’s where real excellence lives.
