UK’s top skills talent takes on Europe's finest
Published: 29 April, 2025
Our very brightest and best young apprentices and learners are heading to Denmark in September, to test their skills against the crème de la crème of Europe at EuroSkills Herning 2025. It is Europe’s largest skills competition and takes place from 9-13 September.
The more than notable 19, making up Team UK, carry the hopes and vision of the UK’s ambition to grow and prosper on its shoulders.
Selected and trained in skills excellence by WorldSkills UK, in partnership with Pearson, (FTSE: PSON.L), the world’s lifelong learning company, the team will compete in a raft of skills disciplines vital for all our futures. Team members have already been through months of competition and selection processes and now face the last crucial months of their intensive training programme for EuroSkills Herning 2025.
Minister for Skills, Jacqui Smith, said: “Congratulations to all those chosen for the EuroSkills team, it’s a fantastic achievement and a unique opportunity to showcase the strength of UK skills on the European stage.
“These young people represent the ambition and expertise being developed through our further education system, which is central to building a workforce fit for the future.
“High-quality skills are at the heart of our Plan for Change, helping to grow the economy and support people into good jobs. WorldSkills UK does vital work to raise standards and ambition across technical education.”
Team UK will compete in skills crucial to the Government’s ambition to build 1.5 million homes and create new modern places of work. These skills include Electrical Installation, Plumbing and Heating, Joinery, Cabinet Making and Painting and Decorating.
Supporting the Government’s drive to position the UK as an epicentre of excellence in engineering and manufacturing, Team UK will also compete in Mechatronics, Industry 4.0, Electronics, Mechanical Engineering CAD, CNC Milling, Web Technologies, Graphic Design and Welding.
The UK’s health, hospitality and lifestyle sectors will also be showcased on the European stage with Team UK participating in Health and Social Care, Hairdressing, Cooking and Restaurant Service.
WorldSkills UK uses its participation in the EuroSkills competition to promote skills excellence across the UK and embed world class training standards. EuroSkills Herning 2025 is also seen as crucial litmus test to measure the UK’s readiness to compete on the global stage at the WorldSkills Competition. Known as the ‘skills olympics’, the next WorldSkills takes place in Shanghai, China in September 2026.
Ben Blackledge, Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK said: “We are so excited to be supporting and nurturing this fantastic group of young professionals as they head for Denmark to compete.
“They will be tested to the highest standards, showcasing the skills that global employers are looking for, and will return to the UK with the knowledge and experience that will turbo charge their careers.
“EuroSkills is ultimately a test of how internationally competitive UK skills are. It gives us the impetus to raise standards at home and help more young people get high quality jobs.”
Freya Thomas Monk, Managing Director of Pearson Qualifications, said: “We are incredibly proud to support this inspiring group of young people as they prepare for the EuroSkills challenge this year. Celebrating the best of technical and vocational education and raising the prestige of the sector is very important to us. I wish Team UK the best of luck as they prepare to compete in Denmark in September."
Pearson is the official partner of Team UK for EuroSkills Herning 2025 and WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, following a successful partnership at WorldSkills Lyon in 2024.
The more than notable nineteen are:
Mechatronics - John Doherty & Jason McVerry, from Armagh, Northern Ireland
Health& Social Care – Grace Longden from Macclesfield
Restaurant Services – Yuliia Batrak, from Cardigan, Wales
Industry 4.0 – Patrick Sheerin, from Portadown, & Caolan McCartan from Newry
Electronics - Evan Klimazsewsk, from Holyhead
Mechanical Engineering (CAD) – Stuart Lyons, from Lanark
Hairdressing – Katie Sime, from the Forest of Dean
CNC Milling – Tomas Ankers, from Wrexham
Electrical Installation – Jonathan Gough, from Waringstown, Northern Ireland
Web Technologies – Finn Gallagher, from Salisbury
Cabinetmaking – Stanley Mackintosh, from Norwich
Plumbing & Heating – Andrew McCann, from Aughnacloy, Northern Ireland
Cooking – Gabrielle Wilson, from Rhayader
Graphic Design – Melody Cheung, from Port Talbot
Welding – Luke Roberts, from Haverford West
Joinery – Jamie Mathews, from Ballyclare
Painting & Decorating – Shelby Fitzakerly, from Accrington
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Team UK Heading for Euro Test
