Charlie Priestley’s journey to representing the UK at WorldSkills Shanghai is a testament to the power of curiosity, determination and self-belief. Originally from Aberdeen, Scotland, Charlie will compete in IT Network Systems Administration as part of Team UK, showcasing his skills on the world’s biggest stage for technical excellence.
Charlie’s introduction to WorldSkills UK came while studying at North East Scotland College. Encouraged by a teacher who had previously competed in the National Finals, Charlie entered the competition without fully understanding where the opportunity might lead.
“It was actually my teacher who introduced me to WorldSkills UK. I didn’t know much about the competition at first, but it sounded like a great opportunity, so I decided to put myself forward.”
What began as a simple decision to enter soon developed into a passion. Charlie competed in the WorldSkills UK National Finals in both 2023 and 2024, securing a Silver Medal on each occasion and establishing himself as one of the UK’s most talented young professionals in his field.
His interest in technology started at an early age. Having been home educated for much of his childhood, computers played a central role in his learning.
“I was always on computers from a young age. My older brother went off to do computing at college and seemed to enjoy it, so I thought I’d give it a try.”
That decision has led Charlie to a successful career pathway combining both education and industry-focused skills. Today, he works at North East Scotland College while continuing his studies at Robert Gordon University, balancing teaching responsibilities with his own development as a WorldSkills UK competitor.
The impact of WorldSkills UK on Charlie’s personal and professional development has been significant. He credits the competition with helping him develop a strong sense of self-motivation while also building the technical, professional and communication skills needed to succeed in the workplace. The experience has opened doors that have shaped his career and helped prepare him for real-world industry opportunities.
“Everything I’ve done to get to this point has been through self-driven motivation.”
His involvement with WorldSkills UK also helped him secure his current teaching role at North East Scotland College.
“The teaching job largely came from WorldSkills UK. The college knew me through that, so when I said I’d like to start teaching, they were quite happy and on board with the idea.”
Now, Charlie is helping to inspire the next generation of competitors. Several of his students have already entered WorldSkills UK competitions, with one achieving a Silver Medal in the qualifiers. As he prepares for Shanghai, he is simultaneously supporting future competitors as they begin their own journeys.
Being selected for Team UK is both an honour and an opportunity for Charlie.
“It means a lot of hard work ahead, but I think it means a lot for my career. I think there’s a great future ahead.”
Looking beyond WorldSkills Shanghai, Charlie hopes to gain further experience within industry before eventually launching his own IT business. For now, however, his focus is firmly on preparing for Shanghai.
Training occupies much of his time. Alongside domestic training events, Charlie has participated in international pressure tests and is set to travel to South Korea for further international competition experience. He will also compete against teams from countries including Germany and Spain as part of Team UK’s preparations.
His commitment to training extends far beyond normal working hours.
“Usually I go into the college at seven in the morning and work on WorldSkills UK before classes start. Then after teaching, I go back to working on WorldSkills UK.”
One of the biggest challenges Charlie has faced throughout the WorldSkills UK journey has been managing the mental demands of elite competition. Early international events exposed him to some of the world’s strongest competitors, leading to moments of self-doubt.
“The very first international pressure test we competed in, we didn’t do too well. We finished last, and there was definitely a bit of imposter syndrome seeing how good some of the other competitors were.”
However, those experiences have helped him build resilience and confidence, reinforcing the importance of continuous improvement and perseverance.
As WorldSkills Shanghai approaches, Charlie is excited not only about the competition itself but also about the opportunity to experience one of the largest international skills events ever staged.
“I’ve heard this is going to be the biggest WorldSkills event in history. I think it’s going to be everything I saw before, but on a much bigger level.”
Having already travelled internationally through WorldSkills UK, Charlie is looking forward to exploring a new country, meeting competitors from around the world and testing his skills against the very best in the profession.
For anyone considering entering a WorldSkills UK competition, Charlie has a simple but powerful message:
“Never think you’re not good enough. When I started, I never thought I would get anywhere close to the National Finals, let alone where I am today. Even if you think you’re not going to make it, go for it. Take that leap and see where you can get to.”
From a student inspired by a teacher to a teacher inspiring the next generation, Charlie’s journey demonstrates the lasting impact of WorldSkills UK. As he prepares to represent the UK in Shanghai, he is proving that ambition, dedication and a willingness to seize opportunities can open doors to remarkable experiences.
