OCTOBER 15 – 18 2017

TEAM UK & WORLDSKILLS UK OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER

FE WEEK REPORTING ON WORLDSKILLS 2017 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ON LOCATION

THE ROAD TO ABU DHABI 2 www.pearson.com/uk/ WORLDSKILLS ABU DHABI 2017

of intense competition, which includes a visit from skills minister Anne Milton and words of wisdom from past Team UK billy champions on pages 12, 13, 14 and 15. ON LOCATION The coverage of the closing ceremony on page 16 celebrates all our winners, and the camden results tables are on pages 18 and 19. FE Week is the only newspaper dedicated Reporting on Team UK has been a heck to the further education and skills sector Senior reporter, FE Week of an experience, and one that I will never in England. forget. A huge well done to all involved, and thank you for bringing me along for Editor: Nick Linford the ride. Head designer: Nicky Phillips Designer: Matthew Willsone t is rare that we at FE Week are able to working behind the scenes to make it Features editor: Cath Murray celebrate the brilliance that our sector possible for Team UK to compete, and on Deputy editor: Paul Offord I produces, but that is exactly what I have page five our managing director Shane Sub editor: Tom Mendelsohn been able to do in writing about Team UK Mann discusses the incalculable passion Reporters: Billy Camden – the cream of the country’s most skilled and energy that’s spent on preparing Team Jude Burke young people in trade careers. UK for WorldSkills.. Pippa Allen-Kinross After two whirlwind years, my journey We then meet the 34 competitors who Samantha King reporting on the WorldSkills crew is have done our country proud, before Team UK & WorldSkills UK finally over, ending with an emotional and covering the spectacular opening ceremony Head of funding and official media partner unforgettable competition in Abu Dhabi. – which kicks our competition coverage off assessment: Gemma Gathercole Around 1,300 competitors from 59 on pages 10 and 11. Photographer: Ellis O’Brien countries, all aged 18 to 25, competed in 51 Then you get a first-hand account of Financials: Helen Neilly different skill areas ranging from aircraft exactly what went on over the four days Sales executive: Bridget Stockdale maintenance to hairdressing, in front of a Administration: Frances Ogefere Dell FE Week reporting on WorldSkills crowd of around 100,000 people over four PA to MD: Victoria Boyle 2017 in partnership with days in the Middle East.

Managing director: Shane Mann Thirty-four of them came from the UK – and their own journeys to this point If you are interested in placing a product or have been long in the making. That job advert contact is where this souvenir supplement, E: [email protected] sponsored by Pearson, starts on T: 020 81234 778 page three. We move to the unsung heroes

What an inspiring two days! It was a in association with Nesta and Oxford real privilege to attend and support University is an innovative research our UK team at World Skills 2017. All study that analyses the trends that are of the competitors are great national influencing the future of jobs. It studied ambassadors for apprenticeships and Cindy the increasing impact of technology on technical skills worldwide. It was also the future of jobs and the knowledge great to see the presence of the Skills and skill combinations that are likely to Minister and so many officials over the Rampersaud become increasingly important to us all. past two days supporting the team and Attending World Skills really brought to broader skills agenda. Senior Vice President, BTEC and life the findings and recommendations Apprenticeships, Pearson of the report. As we walked around ver the course of the two days we the exhibition and observed the many saw a number of students who have competitors, what was clear was how much O studied BTEC, Higher Nationals and technology is part of the skills agenda. Apprenticeship courses that have led them In order to reach their potential, many to be able to compete internationally at the competitors were using technology to highest level. They include Dan McCabe a Being inspired by our design, scope and complete many aspects of former BTEC student from West Cheshire their assigned tasks. College, taking part in the 3D Digital At this time, when we have an Games competition; Shane Carpenter, opportunity to address the emerging skills a former NESCOT College student, now world class apprentices shortages facing us in the UK, World Skills working at BAE, flying the flag for the is a great exemplar of the value of skills UK in Cyber Security; and Betsy Crosbie of sectors including health, retail, logistics will be of the Brexit talks and the impact and raising the recognition of skilled who studied a Higher National Diploma in and education. of free movement of workers. There are professionals worldwide. I feel extremely Mechanical Engineering at New College In the UK the Skills Plan, and the approximately 2.4M European nationals privileged to have met so many passionate Lanarkshire who represented the UK in Industrial Strategy are at the very currently working in the UK and recent and talented young people at World Skills CAD design. These are just three of the heart of the government’s agenda. There statistics tell us net migration has fallen for and within the World Skills UK team. highly skilled and talented individuals we is a real focus and commitment on the first time in 3 years. Unless we invest had representing the UK at World Skills technical education and highly skilled in upskilling our young people and our 2017 in Abu Dhabi this week. apprenticeships. Probably for the first time current workforce, sectors such as Care, Skills based learning has traditionally in a generation the need is greater than Hospitality, Retail and Construction will been associated with the hands-on trade. ever. The drivers are well documented – find themselves dramatically short of the However what was clearly evident at World low productivity, technology as a disruptor, skills they most need. Recent figures from Skills is how technology and innovation is shifts in demographics and the potential Nuffield indicate a shortfall of 70,000 skilled disrupting and influencing the design and implications of Brexit. workers in the care sector by 2025. demand for jobs and skills across a range None of us yet know what the outcome Our recent report, Employment in 2030, @PEARSON @FEWEEK WWW.FEWEEK.CO.UK 3

THE ROAD TO ABU DHABI

arning a place in Team UK is no easy feat. Competitors have had E to endure two years of testing and observation, while undertaking their regularly scheduled training and staying in employment. Each member of the team has participated in the UK selection competitions and finals at the Skills Show, a European competition (EuroSkills Gothenburg), as well as countless training sessions totalling over 70,000 hours, mental agility training to an Olympic standard, and, of course, a 3,000-mile journey to Abu Dhabi. For many of the competitors, this will have been the most difficult journey of their lives. The WorldSkills finals are held every Team UK two years, and are known as the “Olympics of skills”. It has brought the most talented young people from 59 countries under one learning, to get themselves both practically roof to compete across 51 skills – ranging and psychologically ready. from aircraft maintenance and mechanical “I think we have prepared them to a engineering to restaurant service and really high level and now it is their chance beauty therapy. to really shine on a global stage,” said Ben Team UK battled through regional heats Blackledge, WorldSkills UK’s director of in early 2015 against more than education and skills competitions. 3,000 other top apprentices “Since the team selection and learners to make it the guys have taken part to the national finals in a combination of at the Skills Show in technical training, Birmingham’s NEC looking at each of in November that their 30-odd skills year. and doing really Standout intensive last competitors were minute things put into a longer to get them up of apprentices taking part in this year’s squad of just 85 to the standard WorldSkills competition in Abu Dhabi, and 32 for WorldSkills Abu of international congratulations on making it this far,” she Dhabi, and 22 were competitions.” said. Skill experts supporting chosen to represent their Theresa May Over the two year cycle “Your achievements set a great example the training of TeamUK country at EuroSkills in the team has taken part in eight for other young people looking to carve Gothenburg 2016 – where they brought boot camps, focusing on their mindset out a vocational career, and demonstrate home two golds, one silver, two bronzes and and the way they approach competition. how important practical skills are in the eight medallions of excellence. These involve yoga, for example, and workforce.” 29 After this, these 22 were plunged back situations where they feel uncomfortable Following this, a send-off event was held Skills TeamUK into the main squad, who then all vied for a – to boost their ability to handle the kind in Parliament the day before the team flew competing in place at this year’s global competition. of pressure that they would experience at out to the Middle East where they were bid Their final chance to shine was in international competitions. farewell by family and government officials. March, when all 85 headed to Manchester “These sessions are also about them Speaking at the event was Anne Milton, for a gruelling five-day team selection growing as a team,” Mr Blackledge the apprenticeships and skills minister, competition. explained. “The competitors can use their who said the UK “desperately” needed their 4 Competitor hopefuls had to wait an experts, performance coaches, employers “skills and inspiration” when they return Competition days agonising two weeks to find out the results and providers wider Team UK delegates and from Abu Dhabi. and if they had made it into Team UK to their friends and family when they’re out “I’m sure you’re nervous, apprehensive, compete in Abu Dhabi. there.” excited,” she told the team. “But And since then, all 34 of the The curtain finally closed on irrespective of what happens in this 34 chosen ones have taken part in their training at the beginning of competition, your job when you come back Members of Team UK Olympic-style training regimes October. is to pull another person to do what you to get them ready for all the tests To give them a final boost for have done. they’ll face during the world the event, the prime minister sent “We desperately need your skills, we competition. FE Week a good-luck message to desperately need you as ambassadors 71,000 Between all of them, they’ve put share with the team. and, more importantly than anything, we in an estimated 71,000 hours of “I’d like to wish the desperately need you as an inspiration to Hours of training additional training beyond best of luck to our the generation that are coming up behind across TeamUK their employment and talented team you.” Ben Blackledge 4 www.pearson.com/uk/ WORLDSKILLS ABU DHABI 2017

TEAM UK’S UNSUNG HEROES

ehind every one of the UK’s 34 the competition bug, you don’t ever lose achieve it after working hard, so they competition. competitors is a team of unsung it. For me, that’s true and I want to ensure could they.” Debra Billington, from Pride B heroes, in the form of dedicated that skills competitions underpin every WorldSkills involvement for Nescot even Hairdressing and Barbershop in training managers, support staff, FE training programme delivered in the UK.” affected the college’s last Ofsted report, Herefordshire, employs hairdressing providers and employers who’ve all The competitors’ training providers in which inspectors commented on how competitor Bridie Thorne and admitted her contributed to their success. have also been there, committing time and the competition activity had a “positive training regime has been “demanding” but In fact, over the two years, roughly 30 resource into supporting Team UK. impact” on students. “well worth it”. experts have put in around 14 weeks of Nescot College has been one standout Also benefitting from an apprentice “She gets paid while she’s training even additional support, on top of their day job, provider that offers constant support to involved in the competition is EAS though she’s not working with us and so to ensure each competitor is as technically their apprentice, Shane Carpenter, to Mechanical, a private training provider in losing one of our key stylists has obviously ready for global competition as possible. prepare him for competing in IT network Northamptonshire. been tricky because we are a very small They’ve travelled the breadth of the administrations. Eamon Wilson, the organisation’s owner, salon,” she said. country to do this, leaving a burden on Suresh Kamadchisundaram, a tutor from told FE Week that he had also given his “But of course we get value from it. For their employers to commit to a rigid the college, told FE Week that Nescot had space to WorldSkills UK for free, and even us as hairdressers it is time that we sell training regime, and it mustn’t go provided its facilities for training at no hosted competitors from China, Malaysia and as a result of this process Bridie’s unmentioned that the role is unpaid. cost. and South Korea to train over the summer. speed has increased greatly and her “We have done this because as a “It pumps our other students up when confidence in herself and work has really So why do they do it? college we recognise the important role they see the competitors in action,” he improved.” competitions play in developing our said. “It really enthuses them. We send our Competing on the international stage “We’re passionate about developing learners,” he said. students to the Skills Show to show them requires extensive access to the latest the next crop of skills professionals,” “It not only allows Shane to practise what level they can strive to.” industry equipment and technology. explained Christian Notley, who is head for the competition, but also engage the And while training providers give up Many providers in the UK don’t currently of furniture studies at Chichester College wider college community. Often, they can’t their centres, employers are allowing have such kit, especially in such skills as and Team UK’s cabinet making training quite believe the level of task being carried chunks of time off for their employees CNC milling, where new machines can manager. out, but it shows them if their peers can to prepare for the testing international cost upwards of half a million pounds. “We travel around the country doing this in different workshops and environments for their benefit as it puts them in different and strange situations they are not used to, like they’ll be at an international competition. “We see the benefits obviously for those students going through the programme and how much it transforms them into the best at what they do in the world.” This is Mr Notley’s sixth year and third cycle of WorldSkills. At the previous two competitions in Leipzig and São Paulo, he helped produce two gold medallists. But it isn’t just about the medals: “For me it is also about the benefits it can bring back to the college. “Chichester College has been fantastic in supporting me doing this because it can be a burden on them having me away for parts of the year, so this is a two-way street. The additional coaching skills at WorldSkills level is something that we learn and I utilise those skills and experiences with all my students in the college.” Skills experts join the team at various points in their careers and some, like Jenna Bailey, are former WorldSkills competitors themselves. She competed in beauty therapy at WorldSkills Montreal 1999, and told FE Week the experience left her “determined to stay involved”. “For me, taking part in skills competitions had a huge impact on my career,” she said. “I run my own consultancy and am using the knowledge I gain from the WorldSkills community in the training I deliver. Team UK training managers after the closing ceremony of WorldSkills 2017 “They say once you have been bitten by @PEARSON @FEWEEK WWW.FEWEEK.CO.UK 5

WorldSkills UK therefore relies on the machine cycle time. This meant savings in generosity of partner employers and production time and manufacturing costs companies to provide free access to – reducing the cost of our products and competitors to use. getting better quality.” Mr Booth added that Ethan is now “leading by example”, and as he improves, To the training his other apprentices are “nipping at his Shane heels to keep up and develop their skills”. managers who have Last but not least are the WorldSkills put in thousands and UK’s performance coaches. They mentor, Mann thousands of hours. A taking care of pastoral support and any wider needs the competitors may have. Managing director, LSECT lot of weekends given In competition they turn into team publisher of FE Week up getting these young leaders. Three have gone to Abu Dhabi, people ready to compete and are responsible for all aspects of logistics, meals and all psychological on the world stage - a support. huge thank you from me “When the team are on the competition stand and if they have a snag or an issue Anne Milton, Skills minister we have a Team UK flag and if they put It’s not all about the competitors: that down only we are allowed to go Matt Booth is from and provide that support,” the Electroimpact, who employs chief team leader, Jo Maher, In praise of training managers CNC milling competitor Ethan said. Davies, and explained how the “We do it because we are have been attending skills competitions their journey together, all that is left is competition has been “really passionate about FE. All of since the UK hosted WorldSkills way a period of reflection before the closing beneficial”. us team leaders have got Iback in 2011. This competition is the tenth ceremony, when they’ll both discover “Through the training for backgrounds in FE and I’ve attended – on every occasion I have whether their efforts have earned a medal. the WorldSkills competition, we are passionate left feeling that the spotlight has only been As I sit amongst the training managers Ethan came back to the job about supporting shone on half of Team UK. at the stadium waiting for the results to be he was working on, applied young people It is of course right that the competitors announced, and in turn watch the winners the training and knocked and developing have their moment in the spotlight – it is trot up to the podium, I wish they could run 20 minutes off a two-hour their potential.” no easy feat earning a place on the team. up with their charges. They deserve their Anne Milton But there is another group of immensely moment too. talented professionals supporting the Training managers, like competitors, competitors, and without whom we only learn of the results at the closing wouldn’t come home with a single medal. ceremony. Team UK has a skilled and committed When they hear the words “United infrastructure around it. Made up of Kingdom”, there isn’t a dry eye in the team. training managers, skills experts and I can’t comprehend the pride a training performance coaches. They work with manager must feel. the team from day one – years before any Having spoken to many of them over the world finals – to ensure that they are both years it has become evident there are clear mentally and physically prepared for benefits – for them and their employers. In competitions. terms of professional development there Since FE Week became the media partner really is no better option. for WorldSkills UK and Team UK, I have Colleges, providers and employers who seen first-hand the incalculable energy that release their staff in order for them to is spent on preparing contestants. support TeamUK also deserve recognition. Team UK has collectively undertaken It isn’t easy releasing staff – but their over 72,000 hours of training – which often commitment to UK skills is evident and takes place out of normal working hours greatly appreciated. and more usually during holiday periods. I spoke with the skills minister Anne Over the years I have seen countless Milton on Wednesday, while we walked examples of training managers forfeiting around some competitions, and she was their summer holidays and weekends. speechless about the efforts undertaken by The relationship between a training Team UK in order to compete. We spoke manager and a competitor is beautiful about the commitment from training to witness. They will spend thousands managers, and she wanted to record a of hours in each other’s company or in special thank-you message for them. communication. Having the skills minister here in Abu Many competitors will start the process Dhabi was immensely important for all in their late teens. Training managers involved. The minister’s public expression will watch their competitor evolve from a of thanks of the training managers is leap talented teen on an apprenticeship to the in the right direction. crème de la crème. Here at FE Week, we go to great lengths As an observer of this process, there are to report on Team UK. But I must hold my many moments which cause the hair on hands up and acknowledge that we haven’t your neck to stand up, but there is nothing always given them their due. quite as emotionally overwhelming as Whenever we next speak about the seeing the embrace between a training success of Team UK, we should always manager and their competitor when the ensure we acknowledge the achievements final whistle blows. of those who supported them through their Both know they’ve come to the end of WorldSkills journey. 6 www.pearson.com/uk/ WORLDSKILLS ABU DHABI 2017

COMPETITORS & THEIR TRAINING MANAGERS

CONSTRUCTION AND Electrcial installation Training manager Matthew Doe Gareth Jones

BUILDING TECHNOLOGY Employer: Employer: Rogers Restorations Coleg Gwent This sector covers all of the skilled Thirteen skills feature in this category, Training provider: Bridgwater College areas related to the construction world – and Team UK had a competitor in each, bar encompassing everything from the foundation, refrigeration, air conditioning and concrete grounds, building, finishing and maintaining of construction work. Joinery Training manager & deputy chief expert all sorts of buildings. Conor Wilmott Andrew Pengelly

Employer: Employer: Cambridge Conservatory Centre Didac Ltd Training provider: West Suffolk College

Landscape gardening Training manager

Adam Ferguson Simon Abbott

Employer: Employer: Hillsborough Castle Simon Abbott Landscapes Training provider: CAFRE

Landscape gardening Training manager

Will Burberry Simon Abbott

Employer: Employer: Radial Landscape Construction Simon Abbott Landscapes Training provider: Adam Ferguson Merrist Wood College

Training manager Architectural & chief expert Training managers stonemasonry Peter Walters Kevin Calpin MBE Archie Stoke-Faiers & Marc Pate

Employer: Employer: Employer: Stoke-on-Trent www.archiefaiers.co.uk Caplin Associates | College Training provider: Man of Stone Weymouth College

Bricklaying Training manager & deputy chief expert Josh Hunter Mike Burdett

Employer: Employer: Geo Houlton & Sons Ltd York College Training provider: Hull College

Cabinet making Training manager

Angus Bruce-Gardner Christian Notley MBE

Employer: Employer: Silverlining Chichester College Training provider: Waters & Acland

Carpentry Training manager

Cameron Nutt Gareth Evans

Employer: Employer: J & R Snodgrass Construction Wales Training provider: Innovation Centre North West Regional College Josh Hunter @PEARSON @FEWEEK WWW.FEWEEK.CO.UK 7

SOCIAL AND COMPETITORS & THEIR TRAINING MANAGERS PERSONAL SERVICES Skill areas covered in this category are well as those in hospitality and personal care. related to the service industry. It includes Team UK had competitors in all categories Plastering and dry wall Training manager those in the food and beverage industry as except bakery and health and social care. systems David Kehoe Harrison Moy

Employer: Employer: British Gypsum & British Gypsum Property Enhancement

Plumbing and heating Training manager

Daniel Martins Paul Dodds

Employer: Employer: Briggs and Forrester Skills, Educational Training Training provider: (SET) Ltd EAS Mechanical

Wall and floor tiling Training manager

Armondas Tamulis Paul Doran

Employer: Employer: DLP Tiling Southern Regional College Training provider: Southern Regional College Ruth Hansom

Painting and Training manager Training Beauty therapy Training manager decorating & chief expert manager Kaiya Swain Jenna Bailey MBE Jordan Charters Peter Walters Mark Nevin

Employer: Employer: Employer: Employer: Employer: George Charters Stoke-on-Trent Nevin of Kaiya Rose Beauty Jenna Bailey MBE Training Training provider: College Edinburgh Training provider: and Consultancy Edinburgh College Sussex Downs College

Cooking Training manager

Ruth Hansom Michael Godfrey

Employer: Employer: Hansom Lambert Chartwells, Brunel Training provider: University Westminister Kingsway College

Hairdressing Training manager

Bridie Thorne Linzi Weare

Employer: Employer: Pride Hairdressing and Barbershop Reds Hair Company Training provider: Train with Pride

Patisserie and Training manager confectionery Philip Dixon Steven Lodge

Employer: Employer: n/a Hull College Training provider: Hull College

Restaurant service Training manager

Elizabeth Forkuoh Dr Shyam Patiar MBE

Employer: The Gleneagles Hotel Training provider: Jordan Charters Coleg Sir Gar 8 www.pearson.com/uk/ WORLDSKILLS ABU DHABI 2017

COMPETITORS & THEIR TRAINING MANAGERS

TRANSPORTATION Aircraft maintenance Training manager Joseph Massey Martin Yates

AND LOGISTICS Employer: Employer: Airbus UK Self-Employed Six skills from the transportation world are Team UK had a competitor in three of the Training provider: Coleg Cambria covered in this sector, which includes creating, skills, but didn’t enter anyone for automobile repairing and maintaining transportation technology, freight forwarding, or heavy vehicle vehicles. maintenance. Autobody repair Training manager

Andrew Gault Frazer Minskip

Employer: Employer: Glenn Allen Accident Repairs EMTEC Colleges Limited, Training provider: Central College Nottingham Riverpark Training and Development

Car painting Training manager

Daryl Head Richard Wheeler

Employer: Employer: Nationwide Repair Coleg Gwent Training provider: Andrew Gault Thatcham Automotive Academy

INFORMATION AND MANUFACTURING COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY

The biggest of all the sectors, manufacturing — CNC turning, electronics, industrial and engineering technology covers 14 control, industrial mechanic millwright, skilled areas that are related to industrial mobile robotics, plastic die engineering, development and creation. polymechanics and automation, and prototype Team UK did not enter in eight areas modelling.

Shane Carpenter CNC milling Training manager

This sector encompasses everything from administration, of the only ones contested by Ethan Davies Mike Watson network creation and maintenance, to Team UK this year. development and finishing information The other skills in this category are IT Employer: Employer: technologies. software solutions for business, information Electroimpact UK Ltd GKN Aerospace Five skills feature in this category network cabling and print media technology. Training provider: Coleg Cambria including web design and IT network systems

IT network system Training manager Construction metal works Training manager administration Kevin Large Macaulay Reavill Andy Whitehouse Shane Carpenter

Employer: Employer: Employer: Employer: BAE Systems Remote Training Solutions Allied Protek Dudley College of Technology Training provider: Limited Training provider: Nescot College Grimsby Institute

Web design and Training manager Manufacturing team Training manager development challenge Mike David Wyn Rowlands Alfie Hopkin Alexander McCluskey

Employer: Employer: Employer: Employer: n/a Coleg Sir Gar Carnaud Metalbox Engineering Self-Employed Training provider: Training provider: Coleg Sir Gar STEGTA @PEARSON @FEWEEK WWW.FEWEEK.CO.UK 9

CREATIVE ARTS COMPETITORS & THEIR TRAINING MANAGERS AND FASHION

3D digital game art Training manager

Dan McCabe Mike Spence

Employer: Employer: Codemasters South Thames College Training provider: West Cheshire College

Jewellery Training manager

Alexander Wood Steven Jinks

Employer: Employer: N Goves Ltd Self-Employed Training provider: The Goldsmiths’ Centre

Visual merchandising Training manager Catherine Abbott Catherine Abbott Julianne Lavery Fine arts and fashionable design and creation Team UK entered competitors in half of the are all included in this sector, which has six areas. The categories not entered are fashion Employer: Employer: Topshop Istituto Marangoni skills. technology, floristry, and graphic design Training provider: It covers everything from multimedia technology. Windsor College creative, interior decoration and fashion.

Mechatronics Training manager

Sam Hillier Calum Knott

Employer: Employer: Toyota Manufacturing UK Middlesex University Training provider: Toyota Manufacturing UK

Mechatronics Training manager

Tom Revell Calum Knott

Employer: Employer: Toyota Manufacturing UK Middlesex University Training provider: Jake Green Toyota Manufacturing UK

Manufacturing team Training manager Welding Training manager challenge Wyn Rowlands Josh Peek Clive Bell Jacob Parker

Employer: Employer: Employer: Employer: Carnaud Metalbox Engineering Self-Employed L&G Engineering Lakes College Training provider: Training provider: STEGTA Great Yarmouth College

Manufacturing team Training manager challenge Wyn Rowlands Jake Green

Employer: Employer: Carnaud Metalbox Engineering Self-Employed Training provider: Bradford College / STEGTA

Mechanical engineering Training manager CAD Barry Skea Betsy Crosbie

Employer: Employer: n/a New College Lanarkshire Training provider: New College Lanarkshire Sam Hillier 10 www.pearson.com/uk/ WORLDSKILLS ABU DHABI 2017

A SPECTACULAR OPENING TO PROCEEDINGS

Team UK

Team UK

he best of British had the eyes of the to the competition,” said Peter Lauener, over the coming four days.” “Vocational skills present world on them as Abu Dhabi put on chief executive of the ESFA and the UK’s The opening ceremony was slightly huge opportunities for young T a spectacular opening ceremony to official delegate for WorldSkills. delayed due to the sheer volume of people in this country, and officially open the 44th WorldSkills. “To see so many UK supporters out spectators attempting to enter the arena. WorldSkills Abu Dhabi Around 10,000 people were packed inside here, friends, family and of course the To kick proceedings off, the 2017 is the perfect way the du Arena on Yas Island for the opener, WorldSkills UK experts and team, was audience stood for the UAE national for us to introduce these which was live-streamed around the globe heart-warming. The atmosphere they anthem, which was followed by music prospects to tens of and featured authentic Arabic dance created when the team walked through and dance performances featuring a thousands of young performances and a 60-piece orchestra. the arena waving our flag was really massive orchestra and a 100-member UAE nationals.” But it was a breathtaking display by the something. choir, made up of local and Simon Bartley, the president of gymnastic troupe Spelbound, who rose to “To see a British act be the pinnacle of international residents of the UAE. WorldSkills, took to the stage at the fame in the TV Show Britain’s Got Talent, the evening made me even more proud of The parade of nations saw all 1,300 end and thanked the crown prince of Abu who really stole the show. our nation and our education system. competitors from the 59 participating Dhabi and the other leaders of the UAE for They followed a centrepiece “Tonight’s opening ceremony reflected countries brandish their flags across the hosting WorldSkills in the Middle East for performance based on the theme of on the importance of technical and stage. the first time. “progress through skills”, in which live vocational skills. Team UK is a fantastic “Hosting WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017 “Their vision acknowledges that to dancers demonstrated the role skills have example of the world-class talent we have is an honour and an important moment transform and develop an economy you had in the development of the UAE. in our country. for the UAE”, said Mubarak al-Shamsi, have to put skills at the very heart of your “It was truly an outstanding opening “I wish all of the team the best of luck the director general of ACTVET. efforts,” he said. @PEARSON @FEWEEK WWW.FEWEEK.CO.UK 11

A SPECTACULAR OPENING TO PROCEEDINGS

VIP’s in the royal box at the opening ceremony

The first ever WorldSkills to be held in In all, more than 100,000 people will have a Middle Eastern country had a fittingly visited the venue during the competition. spectacular venue. Boasting an inside space These include 80,000 UAE schoolchildren, of 105,000 square metres, it’s big enough to 10,000 international guests, the 1,300 accommodate 4,500 double decker buses. competitors from 59 competing countries, The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, and 500 high-profile guests including or Adnec, is the largest exhibition venue in ministers, representatives and policymakers. the Middle East, and is no stranger to skills It also had around 1,000 members of the competitions, having held both the Emirates worldwide media, and 1,000 volunteers. and the Gulf Cooperation Council regional To cater for the sheer volumes of skills competitions. competitors, an enormous amount of More than 100 events are staged here equipment was required. A total of 22,500 every year and there are around 1.8 million bricks will for example be used in the annual visitors, but it has never had this bricklaying competition, 12,180 flowers will volume of spectators pass through its be used for floristry, and 1,000 tonnes of sand turnstiles for a single event as it has with has been bought in – the volume required to WorldSkills. build a 5km motorway. BTEC taught me the importance of time management, allowing me to train, compete and study at the same time.

Max Whitlock MBE Double Olympic Gold Medallist, BTEC Sport

Supporting #TeamUK in partnership with FE Week OLYMPIANSI CHOOSE BTEC

of BTEC students are employed full-time Learn more. 90% after graduating.* ichoosebtec.com

PEUK W902 *The outcomes associated with the BTEC route of degree level acquisition, London Economics 2013  Joel Anderson

W902 ichoosebtec DPS and web banner.indd 1 10/16/17 1:59 PM BTEC taught me the importance of time management, allowing me to train, compete and study at the same time.

Max Whitlock MBE Double Olympic Gold Medallist, BTEC Sport

Supporting #TeamUK in partnership with FE Week OLYMPIANSI CHOOSE BTEC of BTEC students are employed full-time Learn more. 90% after graduating.* ichoosebtec.com

PEUK W902 *The outcomes associated with the BTEC route of degree level acquisition, London Economics 2013  Joel Anderson

W902 ichoosebtec DPS and web banner.indd 1 10/16/17 1:59 PM 14 www.pearson.com/uk/ WORLDSKILLS ABU DHABI 2017

DAY ONE AND TWO COMPETITION COVERAGE WORLDSKILLS 2017: A SOLID START FOR TEAM UK

he opening couple of days at college every day during the holidays and On day two, Josh Peek, a welder from WorldSkills Abu Dhabi saw most of studied and practised there from 8am till Norwich who has a family history in the T Team UK head back to their hotel 5pm, just constantly doing work to prepare trade, described how he aimed to replicate rooms in a positive mood. for it.” his golden success at EuroSkills in this One person particularly pleased with his Betsy Crosbie, Team UK’s competitor in year’s competition. progress on day one was Shane Carpenter, mechanical engineering CAD, also had a “I won gold in Gothenburg so I’m the UK’s competitor in IT network system smile on her face. definitely hoping to repeat that success, but administration, who works for Britain’s The 21-year-old, who won a medallion of it is a different level here,” he said. “We’ve biggest defence manufacturer, BAE excellence at EuroSkills Gothenburg 2016, got Korea and America, Australia and loads Systems. is one of only two women competing in her more completely different countries so it is Tom Revell “I was very very happy with the progress skill, out of 25 in total. a different atmosphere to Gothenburg.” I made; it went amazingly well and I have But despite working in a male-dominated And Team UK’s car-painter Daryl Head had the day of my life,” he said. arena, Betsy felt confident she would go far. said that although he was having to use Shane put his early success down to the “Today went really well. I got everything different paint from what he was used to, mammoth three months that his employer finished and to a good standard that I was he was pleased with how he started his allowed him off to train for the competition. happy with,” she told FE Week. competition. “BAE Systems is a pretty awesome “There is still a little bit of pressure “I’m using paint I’m not used to but I’ve company to work for,” he said. “I took obviously being male-dominated, but I just had lots of training to prepare for this about 12 weeks off work to train for the come in every day and feel confident I know scenario,” he said. “I’m really happy with event in which me and my expert went to my skill and smash it.” my progress.”

Archie Stoke-Faiers

Daryl Head Ethan Davies Daniel McCabe

Steven Lodge Bridie Thorne @PEARSON @FEWEEK WWW.FEWEEK.CO.UK 15

DAY ONE AND TWO COMPETITION COVERAGE

HIGH PRAISE FROM FIRST SKILLS MINISTER TO VISIT IN EIGHT YEARS

he skills and apprenticeships minister director for skills Ben Blackledge, Ms prime minister’s new skills agenda. But for has pledged to bottle the “essence” of Milton spoke with training managers and WorldSkills UK, the organisation that runs T WorldSkills Abu Dhabi and “sprinkle the friends and family of the competitors to the nation’s skills competitions, funding it around the UK” in her bid to breakdown get a feel of what the event is all about. has been squeezed by half in the last four “the barriers” our country faces in “I have heard a lot about WorldSkills but years. bridging the skills gap. like many things, you can be told about it “One of the reasons I am here is because Anne Milton became the first UK but it is not until you get here and see it I don’t think it has ever been higher on minister to attend the competition in eight in action. The size and scale has blown me a government’s priority,” she said. “Of years, and said all her dreams would “come away,” she said. course we face quite tight financial times, true” if she were able to spread what she “Having 34 competitors here from the UK but this is critical not only for economic has seen to young people back in the UK. makes me feel humbled. They’re the stars prosperity. It is about the country and all Sam Hillier The minister started took a tour of the and I am dipping in the end of what has of that talent amongst young people that we Adnec arena, and visited the stands where been an enormous programme of work. are not able to use.” each of our 34 competitors were vying with “It is moving to meet the parents out Ms Milton also admitted that the UK is the most skilled young people from 58 other here and see their pride in their children. It “absolutely not” good enough at spreading countries. is also the diversity of skills that are being the benefits of skills competitions. Accompanied by the ESFA’s chief tested – landscape gardening, hairdressing, “If I could put in a bottle essence of this executive Peter Lauener, WorldSkills jewellery-making and the rest.” competition and sprinkle it around the UK UK chief executive Dr Neil Bentley, the WorldSkills Abu Dhabi has come at then all my dreams would be answered,” organisation’s chair Carole Stott, and its a critical time for the UK, given the she said.

Archie Stoke-Faiers

Neil Bentley, Anne Milton and Carole Stott Anne Milton Anne Milton

Kaiya Swain

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DAY THREE AND FOUR COMPETITION COVERAGE

TEAM UK’S PAST CHAMPIONS SHOW SUPPORT BEFORE THE FINAL HURDLE

nxious, tired and excited – that’s how and left everything on the stand and have no training to get to this point. Team UK were feeling after day three regrets.” Terron said they must stay confident in A of WorldSkills Abu Dhabi, at least Rianne Chester, who won gold in beauty themselves to get over that final hurdle on according to past champions watching from therapy in Sao Paulo in 2015, and took the the last day. the wings. illustrious Albert Vidal award for scoring “This is everything they’ve trained for,” With a single day to go until competitions the greatest number of points amongst all he said. “Some people train for this for four were over, FE Week caught up with two competitors from every nation taking part, or five years, so they’ve got to remember former gold medallists to get a sense of said competitors would be feeling a mixture they’ve made it to the top of the pyramid. So the pressure our 34 competitors would be of anxiety and excitement. stick to your plans: you know you can do it, experiencing the night before the final day. “Each competitor will be different right that’s why you’re on the stand and everyone “By day three, competitors have had now,” she said. “Some will be coming off else believes in you, so believe in yourself Daniel McCabe roughly 18 hours in action. A slight bit of happy but some will be crying their eyes and you’ll get through it.” tiredness will be setting in so they’ve got to out because they might have messed up on keep the energy levels up by drinking lots a section and that could be them basically of water and eating plenty of food,” said blowing their chances of getting a medal.” Ashley Terron, who won gold for Team UK But when that buzzer goes on day four, in bricklaying in Leipzig 2013. Rianne said they’ll all meet conflicting “Sometimes the mind can be wandering emotions. as they start to have a look at the other “When they’re finished what they’ll competitors’ work so they can be swayed by experience is either that feeling that comes that but they’ve got to stay mentally strong, all over your body like you’re all white and stick to their game plan, stay within their going to be sick, and you either cry or you own team, and listen to their own training get tired or get buzzing. It is different for manager. everyone,” she said. “They’ll also feel really “They’ve got to trust their plans so that relieved.” they know at the last second they will be Every competitor in Team UK will have finished and they’ve given their best shot put in at least two years of determined Betsy Crosbie

Elizabeth Forkuoh Alexander McCluskey @PEARSON @FEWEEK WWW.FEWEEK.CO.UK 17

DAY THREE AND FOUR COMPETITION COVERAGE EMOTIONS RUN HIGH AS TEAM UK FINISHES THE JOB

t was an emotional final day of never feel like this again.” could’ve done any better,” he added. competition as Team UK completed Angus Bruce-Gardner, who trains at Harrison Moy, from British Gypsum and I their tasks in front of huge crowds of Waters & Acland and is employed by H&R Property Enhancement, said it was supporters. Silverlining, also had family by his side for “absolutely amazing” to have finished the After four intense and exciting days, his big finish plastering competition. personal battles in 51 different skills came “My mum, dad and sister have been out “All of the hard work has come to an to a close at WorldSkills Abu Dhabi. all week, supporting me through this whole end, I’m looking forward to the closing This part of the competition is always journey,” the cabinet-maker said. ceremony and going home to relax.” the most invigorating, as friends, family, “I don’t think I’ve done as well as I The final word went to Daniel McCabe, experts, team leaders, delegates and could have done; things have gone wrong, Team UK’s competitor in 3D game art staff gather around each of the stands to but overall I’ve got the piece finished [a design who works at Codemasters and applaud competitors as the buzzer goes to cabinet] and it’s all done in time.” trains at West Cheshire College. signal that time is up. Daniel Martins, from EAS Mechanical Even though his computer broke on the First to finish for Team UK was Jordan and Briggs and Forester, also shared his third day of the competition, he said he was Charters from Edinburgh College, who is thoughts after competing in plumbing and “made up” with what he had on his screen employed by George Charters. The painter heating. by the end. and decorator ended his run wrapped in “I’m pleased with my overall “The atmosphere has been electric and his dad’s arms, and nobody could hold back performance. It was a really tough few days when you’re competing and you hear to tears. and I’m absolutely shattered now but happy different countries coming past it gives it a “The relief is incomparable,” he said. with my work, glad it is all over,” he said. great dynamic which makes it feel special,” “I’m feeling a Andrew Gault said he would “go away he said. “I’ve moved halfway across the bit emotional with my head held high” at the end of the country to do a job I didn’t even dream of as well which auto body-repair competition. getting and I’m now half way across the is all good. It’s “It feels great to be done and I’m glad world competing at this competition. The quite special. I never have to do that again, but I’m whole WorldSkills experience has been I’ll probably happy with what I’ve done – I don’t think I unbelievable.”

Bridie Thorne

Steven Lodge, confectionery, final submission Kaiya Swain 18 www.pearson.com/uk/ WORLDSKILLS ABU DHABI 2017

TEAM UKC SLTORSIKINEGS CGEORLEDM ION NAYBU DHABI

eam UK retained its top-10 position but the competition was so fierce I didn’t Josh Peek in welding, Joseph Massey in at WorldSkills this year, after our think I’d get anything but I’m so happy I aircraft maintenance, and Shane Carpenter T competitors bagged one gold, three did,” said Catherine. in IT network admin (cyber security). silvers, three bronzes, and 13 medallions of “Over this two-year process I’ve missed This year’s competition was seen by excellence in Abu Dhabi. so many weddings and birthday parties to many as a litmus test for the UK’s ability to Our competitors went home with their train but it has all been worth it in the end. cope when Brexit kicks in from 2019. heads held high after pulling in a medal Second best in the world is pretty crazy.” Neil Bentley, chief executive of haul that betters rivals Germany and And picking up our three bronze medals WorldSkills UK, said the nation’s young over 45 other nations, at the “Olympics of were plumber Dan Martins, 20, from people have done the country “proud”. skills”. EAS Mechanical, cabinet-maker Angus “If we celebrate Team UK’s success and Picking up Team UK’s gold was Kaiya Bruce-Gardner, 22, who trains at Waters & use it to inspire others to follow in their Swain, who was voted the world’s best Acland, and auto-repairer Andrew Gault, footsteps – the future of the UK is in safe young beauty therapist. a 20-year-old from Riverpark Training and hands,” he added. The 22-year-old, who trains at Sussex Development. Apprenticeships and skills minister Downs College and runs her own business “I’m still in shock,” said Angus as he left Anne Milton, who visited the competition called Kaiya Rose Beauty, said she the podium. “To be honest I thought I’d be to support the team this week, called upon “couldn’t describe” how she felt after low down on the list. It is pretty impossible parents to take note of the results. winning the top prize. to put into words what I felt like walking “I have been blown away by Team UK,” “The competition was so tough this year, up to that stage.” she said. “They have done fantastically the girls were all brilliant and I kept saying Team UK finished 10th in the medals well – this is the UK competing on the ‘I won’t win, I won’t win’ but I’ve just gone table and was the smallest team to make world stage for skills and achieving great up and got gold,” she added. the global top 10, ahead of Germany which things. “I’m in shock and just so happy. This is was joint 12th with Finland. “There will be huge celebrations when the first medal I’ve ever won so this means Thirteen other members of Team UK they come home. To get to this level is more than anything in the world.” were awarded a medallion of excellence brilliant. Kaiya celebrated her gold medal at a for reaching the international standard in “There is a message here for parents: spectacular closing ceremony in front of their skill. university is not the only option. The 15,000 spectators tonight at the du Arena, These included Elizabeth Forkuoh opportunities are boundless if they which was broadcast for the world to see. in restaurant service, Betsy Crosbie overcome any bias that they might have. Team UK’s silver medallists included in mechanical engineering CAD, Josh We must ensure that the young apprentices architectural stonemason Archie Stoke- Hunter in bricklaying, Jordan Charters in here become an inspiration to others.” Faiers, 22, from Weymouth College, car- painting and decorating, Conor Willmott China led the medal table with 15 gold painter Daryl Head, 21, from Thatcham in joinery, Alexander Wood in jewellery, medals, seven silvers and eight bronzes. Automative Academy, and visual Bridie Thorne in hairdressing, Ruth Korea came second on medal points with merchandiser Catherine Abbott, 21, from Hansom in cooking, Adam Ferguson and eight golds, eight silvers, and eight bronzes. East Berkshire College. Will Burberry in landscape gardening, Tom Switzerland was third on points, winning “I was happy with what I did by the end Revell and Sam Hillier in mechatronics, 11 golds, six silver, and three bronze.

Andrew Gault (centre) with fellow award winning competitors in Autobody repair @PEARSON @FEWEEK WWW.FEWEEK.CO.UK 19

TEAM UKC SLTORSIKINEGS CGEORLEDM ION NAYBU DHABI

Andrew Gault (centre) with fellow award winning competitors in Autobody repair Jordan Charters & training manager Mark Nevin 20 www.pearson.com/uk/ WORLDSKILLS ABU DHABI 2017

WORLDSKILLS 2017: THE RESULTS

chieving a medal is always the end WorldSkills UK then puts on an after- goal for every competitor competing ceremony awards reception with all of A in WorldSkills. the Team UK supporters, and of course Top prizes up for grabs are golds, the competitors, where the medallions of silvers, and bronzes, as well as medallions excellence were handed out. of excellences. At this year’s reception, WorldSkills UK chair Carole Stott told the audience: “Well done to all of Team UK – you’ve done It was an absolute honour yourselves and your country proud. We’ve Beauty therapy all seen how you’ve all performed in a Kaiya Swain to represent my country. spirit that is exemplary.” This is a dream come Ben Blackledge, WorldSkills UK director Employer: Kaiya Rose Beauty for education and skills competitions, true, I never expected to Training provider: added: “I hope all of Team UK will hold Sussex Downs College come out on top this whole experience as really valuable to them. Thank you for everything you’ve Kaiya Swain done, and letting us all be part of the team.” Each skill was scored differently, but competitors had to reach a minimum of 500 points to claim a medallion, which The feeling is unreal, it meant they reached the international standard in their trade. has been so much hard The top three medals were handed out work but so worth it at the closing ceremony, where each of Car painting Daryl Head the winning competitors took to the stage Daryl Head to stand and celebrate on a podium before being sent backstage to be interviewed by Well done once again to all of Team UK - Employer: Nationwide Repair the media. here are our medallists. Training provider: Thatcham Automotive Academy

Plumbing and heating

Daniel Martins

Employer: Briggs and Forrester Training provider: EAS Mechanical @PEARSON @FEWEEK WWW.FEWEEK.CO.UK 21

WORLDSKILLS 2017: THE RESULTS

Restaurant service Mechanical engineering CAD Elizabeth Forkuoh Betsy Crosbie Employer: Employer: The Gleneagles Hotel n/a Training provider: Training provider: Coleg Sir Gar New College Lanarkshire

Architectural stonemasonry Bricklaying Painting and Archie Stoke-Faiers decorating Josh Hunter Jordan Charters Employer: Employer: Employer: www.archiefaiers.co.uk Geo Houlton & Sons Ltd George Charters Training provider: Training provider: Training provider: Weymouth College Hull College Edinburgh College

Jewellery Hairdressing

Alexander Wood Bridie Thorne Employer: Employer: N Goves Ltd Pride Hairdressing and Barbershop Training provider: Training provider: The Goldsmiths’ Centre Train with Pride

Visual merchandising Mechatronics Mechatronics Catherine Abbott Sam Hillier Tom Revell Employer: Employer: Employer: Topshop Toyota Manufacturing UK Toyota Manufacturing UK Training provider: Training provider: Training provider: Windsor College Toyota Manufacturing UK Toyota Manufacturing UK

Aircraft maintenance These young people have Joseph Massey Employer: done the nation proud Airbus UK Training provider: Coleg Cambria Dr. Neil Bentley

Cabinet making Welding Cooking Angus Bruce-Gardner Josh Peek Ruth Hansom Employer: Employer: Employer: Silverlining L&G Engineering Hansom Lambert Training provider: Training provider: Training provider: Waters & Acland Great Yarmouth College Westminister Kingsway College

IT network system Landscape gardening administration Shane Carpenter Adam Ferguson Employer: Employer: BAE Systems Hillsborough Castle Training provider: Training provider: Nescot College CAFRE

Autobody repair Joinery Landscape gardening Andrew Gault Conor Wilmott Will Burberry Employer: Employer: Employer: Glenn Allen Accident Repairs Cambridge Conservatory Centre Radial Landscape Construction Training provider: Training provider: Training provider: Riverpark Training and Development West Suffolk College Merrist Wood College 22 www.pearson.com/uk/ WORLDSKILLS ABU DHABI 2017

WELL DONE TEAM UK

Team UK arriving at the Medallions of Excellence ceremony

Team UK arriving at the Medallions of Excellence ceremony Medallion of Excellence medals Team UK

Team UK before competitions commenced on a desert safari Daryl Head @PEARSON @FEWEEK WWW.FEWEEK.CO.UK 23

A jubilant Team UK following the closing ceremonies

Angus Bruce-Gardner

Daryl Head Peter Lauener, Josh Hunter and Neil Bentley Dan McCabe (right) with his mother