Anastasiya’s journey with WorldSkills UK began in 2022, when she was at Southern Regional College studying for her degree apprenticeship in Applied Sciences (Analytical pathway). She competed in the national finals of the Chemical Laboratory Technician competition, securing third place. Following this success, she received an invitation to join Squad UK, where she spent about a year preparing for the selection event. Although Anastasiya was not selected for Team UK, she still wanted to be part of WorldSkills UK. She subsequently transitioned into her current role as a WorldSkills UK Skills Champion, supporting and inspiring new competitors.
Anastasiya is currently pursuing a master’s degree, in Pharmaceutical Analysis at Queen’s University, while working full-time at Almac Group. She reflects on how her WorldSkills UK experience has complemented her academic and professional development: “A lot of the training we did through WorldSkills UK was aligned with my university degree. Having that practical experience made exams easier and helped me understand the material better. In my master’s, it has also helped me approach more complex experiments with confidence because I’ve already practiced similar tasks before.”
Since becoming a Skills Champion, Anastasiya has been actively involved in both online and in-person initiatives, sharing her competition journey and career insights with school students, college students, and apprentices. She highlights the importance of giving back: “I wanted to give back all the things I had learned. We have a lot of apprentices coming through Almac Group who also take part in WorldSkills UK, so it’s fun to be able to give them tips and help them in their journey now that mine is over.”
Her role as a Skills Champion has opened several opportunities for personal and professional growth. For example, Anastasiya returned to the 2024 national finals as a speaker, mentoring new competitors and explaining how the competitions benefit participants. She also had the chance to meet industry leaders and government officials, including the Welsh Minister for Education, guiding them through the college and discussing the competition process.
Anastasiya emphasises how WorldSkills UK has helped her grow her professional network: “Through the events and activities, I’ve been able to expand my network, connecting with people from different regions. Every time there’s an event, there’s an opportunity to connect and learn from others in the industry.”
The most rewarding part of being a Skills Champion, according to Anastasiya, is the people she meets and the energy of the community: “The atmosphere is amazing, and it’s so much fun to discuss our competition journeys with others who have been through it themselves.”
Reflecting on the impact on her personal development, Anastasiya shared: “I’ve become a lot more sociable, learned how to communicate effectively, and come out of my shell. I’m not afraid to give speeches or present publicly anymore.”
When asked what advice she would give to someone considering WorldSkills UK, Anastasiya said simply: “Just do it. It’s a life-changing experience. It’s so beneficial for both your career growth and your personal development.”
Anastasiya’s journey highlights how WorldSkills UK competitions and Skills Champion roles can provide practical experience, expand professional networks, and support both personal and career growth, while giving participants the opportunity to inspire the next generation of talent.
