Team UK - ready for action
Published: 23 August, 2019
Team UK - 37 of the brightest and best young apprentices (and former apprentices) - is in a Russian rush to get started at the 'Skills Olympics' in Kazan, which opened in front of 54,000 spectators on Thursday August 22nd.
The World Cup (cricket or football), the Olympic Games or any other sporting occasion just pale into insignificance in terms of their real importance to the future of our nation.
These young stars have already spent up to four years competing and training in order to reach the elite level they are at which enables them to compete against the best on the world stage.
Brickies, Plumbers, Cyber Security experts, 3D Games Designers, Beauticians, Stonemasons and Lab Technicians are among the 32 different disciplines that the UK is competing in at the 45th WorldSkills Finals.
Dr. Neil Bentley-Gockmann OBE, CEO of WorldSkills UK which runs the regional and national competitions, selects and trains Team UK has called upon Prime Minister Boris Johnson to drive a 'skills upgrade' to help mainstream excellence and incorporate international best practice.
Speaking from Kazan he said: "Team UK is up for it!
"They've done so much training and can't wait to get started and represent the UK at its best on the world stage. I'm sure the whole country will join me in wishing Team UK the best of British."
Team UK finished 10th at the last finals (Abu Dhabi 2017) and is hoping to replicate that form.
Live coverage of the spectacular Opening and Closing Ceremonies is being featured live on UK TV (Showcase TV Sky 192) for the very first time and live updates are being streamed daily at: www.worldskillsuk.org
