What started as a college competition has become an opportunity to compete on the world stage. Samuel Jones, a Refrigeration and Air Conditioning specialist from Ashton-in-Wigan, is now preparing to represent Team UK at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, where he will compete against some of the best young technicians from around the globe.
Samuel first became involved in WorldSkills UK while studying practical refrigeration at PRTC Burnley. At the time, he knew little about the competition, but after speaking with a WorldSkills UK expert at college and receiving encouragement from his tutors, he decided to give it a go. From there, he progressed through the competition stages and ultimately secured a place on Team UK.
Reflecting on how his journey began, Samuel said:
“When I first heard about WorldSkills UK, I didn’t really know what to expect. Once I learned more about it, I realised it was a great opportunity to challenge myself, develop my skills and see how far I could go.”
Outside of work, Samuel dedicates additional time to focused practice, using feedback from training sessions to improve his performance under timed and high-pressure conditions.
Being selected for Team UK was a proud moment and recognition of the hard work and commitment he has shown throughout the competition pathway.
Samuel said: “Finding out I’d been selected for Team UK was an amazing feeling. It’s all happened quite quickly. After being selected for Squad UK following the National Finals in November 2025, to now have the opportunity to represent the UK at WorldSkills Shanghai is a huge honour.”
As he prepares for Shanghai, Samuel is balancing intensive training with his day-to-day role, working closely with WorldSkills UK experts to refine his technical performance and prepare for the challenges of international competition. One of the biggest lessons he has learned through the programme is how to manage pressure and stay focused when faced with unfamiliar problems.
Looking ahead to WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, Samuel is excited by the opportunity to compete against some of the best young technicians in the world and learn from competitors from different countries.
He said: “I’m really looking forward to competing against people from different countries and seeing how they approach the same challenges. It’s a chance to learn, push myself and represent the UK on a global stage.”
Samuel also believes strongly in the value of WorldSkills UK for developing confidence, communication and resilience alongside technical ability. As he prepares to represent Team UK in Shanghai, he hopes his journey will encourage other young people to embrace new opportunities and challenge themselves to achieve more than they thought possible.
