A visit to the WorldSkills UK Centre of Excellence – Network for Innovation event at Oldham College ignited a spark that is now transforming opportunities for learners and apprentices across the South West.
Jane Davison, Director of Quality and Personal Development at New College Swindon, saw first-hand how WorldSkills UK competitions were transforming learner confidence, strengthening employer links, and raising technical standards in Greater Manchester. Determined to replicate this in the South West, she invited colleges across the region to join New College Swindon in launching The South West Skills Challenge last year.
“We aligned our competitions, which included construction, health and social care and digital to hospitality and engineering, with the South West’s Local Skills Plan to make sure they truly met regional needs. After the success of last year’s event, we’re now looking to expand into new areas including Media Make-Up, Beauty Therapy, SEND, ESOL and sustainability, and we’re exploring how to involve A Level students too. Competition training has real value for learners at every level and subject area,” explains Jane.
The number of colleges involved in running the challenge has grown from 10 to 17 this year and spans the length and breadth of the South West.
The colleges are responsible for selecting the skills competitions, preparing the competition briefs and marking schemes. These are submitted to WorldSkills UK, whose team of experts works closely with colleges to quality-assure each local skills competition. WorldSkills UK ensures the competitions meet the required standard, aligned with its National Standard of Excellence, which is based on the Occupational Standards which underpin the international WorldSkills competitions.
Jane emphasises that the true power of the activity lies in its rigorous endorsing process. “We needed to be sure these competitions genuinely delivered value for everyone involved. Thanks to WorldSkills UK’s endorsement, we can confidently show participants and employers alike that these events build far more than technical expertise, they develop the teamwork, critical thinking, and communication skills that today’s employers demand.”
Last academic year, 850 learners took part in Skills Excellence Weeks across the South West. During these weeks, mini competitions are held at colleges and training providers, with the top performers progressing to the regional finals. A 100 learners progressed to the South West Skills Challenge Finals and participation is set to grow even further this academic year, with competitions running throughout March, April and May 2026. In addition, colleges will lead roundtables and CPD sessions at the competitions, bringing educators and employers together to share best practice and strengthen regional skills development. It’s also driving a tangible boost in the South West’s presence at the WorldSkills UK National Competitions, with registration numbers rising by 36% from 2024 to 2025.
New College Swindon is a proud member of the WorldSkills UK Centre of Excellence, delivered in partnership with NCFE. Jane believes the teacher training provided through WorldSkills UK has been pivotal in helping staff fully recognise how pressure-testing through competition pedagogy can unlock learners’ potential and elevate their performance.
The impact of taking part in the South West Skills Challenge extends far beyond the competition itself. One student secured an unconditional university offer after impressing a lecturer who judged a local skills event, while another, who had struggled to attend college earlier in the year, found the confidence to travel with peers to compete at another college just months later. The pride felt by both learners and their teaching staff shows the transformational power of competition in preparing young people for life and work, explains Jane.
