WorldSkills UK recognises that through stakeholder discussions, experience, and research that there are some skills required to deliver to a more localised UK sector skills need. The focus is on occupational roles and not extending a qualification or unit within. Therefore, we are inviting nations, businesses and/or education bodies and organisations to submit proposals detailing new skills competitions that are not currently in the WorldSkills UK footprint.

Through this application process we will want to appreciate why the skill should be part of the National Portfolio utilising the WorldSkills UK quality assurance framework, how successful delivery will be achieved as well as funded.

Criteria

Applications must meet the following criteria:

  • Demonstrate regional / local skills improvement plans / national economic priority
  • Supply and demand of learners throughout the UK
  • Organisation and personnel to manage the design and delivery of the competition
  • To identify investment and contribution of funding the competition for a minimum of two years. Please see guidance notes below.

Eligibility

We welcome applications from registered businesses, third sector, education establishments.

Unfortunately, applications from an individual will not be accepted. At WorldSkills UK we know that a partnership approach provides the most success when delivering a skills development competition.

Process

To be part of this exciting opportunity and for WorldSkills UK to assess the feasibility fairly and consistently there will be a two staged application process for application is as follows:

  • Call for applications opens – 6 May 2024
  • Applicants review criteria and submit applications via our online form by Midday 10 June 2024
  • Applications will be reviewed in a two-stage process:
    1. 1st review by 11 June 2024 – has the application being completed with populated fields, name and organisation details and within the application date and time period. Should this stage be successful the applications will be sent to the panel and invited to present as part of stage two. The panel will consist of WorldSkills UK key personnel, key external stakeholders from IFATE.
    2. 2nd review – applicants will be invited to a panel review week beginning 5 July 2024 where they will present their application with any supported evidence. Following the presentation all criteria will be awarded points. The panel will then discuss and review the application and decide which skill will be chosen.
  • Following the presentation all applicants will be notified the outcome within 5-7 working days.
  • Applicants can obtain feedback upon request.
  • The successful skill and applicant will be invited to join the National Competitions cycle in 2024. This is to support the initial onboarding of the skill and for all parties to appreciate the final stage of the competition cycle. This will provide a great opportunity to meet fellow delivery stakeholders, young people and WorldSkills UK staff.
  • The announcement of the new skill with associated partners will be following the National Finals in November 2024
  • From December 2024 into early 2025 the WorldSkills UK team will begin the onboarding process and start to appreciate the demo competition for year one with processes, marketing, system and structure of delivery.
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