On Monday, 3 November, Team UK’s remarkable achievements at EuroSkills Herning 2025 were celebrated at the Houses of Parliament in London. The event, kindly sponsored by Helen Hayes MP, brought together competitors, training managers, supporters, and special guests to recognise the skill, dedication, and determination of the UK team.
The event was hosted by Shane Chowen, editor of FE Week.
Skills Minister Jacqui Smith addressed the attendees, congratulating the competitors on their outstanding performance:
“Well done to all the UK competitors in EuroSkills this week. Every single one of you has made our country proud, showcasing the best of British skills across a range of trades and professions.”
Ben Blackledge, Chief Executive of WorldSkills UK, praised the team for their commitment and resilience:
“It is fantastic to celebrate the achievements of Team UK today. We are incredibly proud of the whole team who showed commitment, determination and resilience over three days of intense competition at EuroSkills Herning.”
EuroSkills is a key part of our training programme for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 and it allowed the team to accelerate their development through the unique opportunity of competition at the highest level.
The ceremony also included an opportunity to hear from Sharon Hague, CEO UK Pearson, the official sponsor of Team UK, highlighting the importance of supporting young talent and their future careers.
In addition, a few Team UK members shared their experiences, reflecting on their journey at EuroSkills Herning 2025 and expressing their motivation to rejoin Squad UK and continue training as they aim for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. Their inspiring stories highlighted dedication, teamwork, and the drive to compete at the highest level internationally.
The ceremony also recognised individual achievements, with 5 Medallions of Excellence awarded to Team UK members who reached world-class standards, alongside Industry 4.0, for which the team won a Bronze Medal.
Medallists included:
- Industry 4.0 – Bronze Medal: Caolan McCartan (Newry) and Patrick Sheerin (Portadown)
- CNC Milling – Medallion for Excellence: Tomas Ankers (Wrexham)
- Painting & Decorating – Medallion for Excellence: Shelby Fitzakerly (Accrington)
- Plumbing & Heating – Medallion for Excellence: Andrew McCann (Aughnacloy)
- Restaurant Services – Medallion for Excellence: Yuliia Batrak (Colwyn Bay)
- Hairdressing – Medallion for Excellence: Katie Sime (Cheltenham)
The celebration marked both a recognition of past achievements and a strategic step forward. Team UK will now continue training in preparation for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, the global ‘skills olympics’, where they will compete against the best from around the world, inspiring the next generation of skilled professionals and showcasing the very best of UK talent on the international stage.
Relive the action
Watch highlights from EuroSkills Herning 2025.
