FIVE young people from across Wales, including a 20-year-old from Carmarthenshire, have been selected to travel to Russia to represent the UK in an international skills competition.
Chris Caine from Pembrokeshire, Sam Everton from Ceredigion, Thomas Lewis from Bridgend, Collette Gorvett from Swansea and Phoebe McLavy from Carmarthenshire will travel to Kazan in Russia this August (22-27th) to compete in WorldSkills International.
WorldSkills is the world’s largest skill competition aimed at raising the profile and recognition of skilled young people from all corners of the globe.
The five Welsh contestants, who will be competing in joinery, cooking, electrical installation, restaurant services and hairdressing, took part in a UK wide team selection culminating at Loughborough University before becoming part of Team UK. They will now join more than 30 other young professionals from across the UK at the competition in Russia this summer.
Phoebe McLavy, 20, from Carmarthenshire studies level 3 Hairdressing at Coleg Sir Gâr and will be competing in hairdressing.
She said: “Being able to compete as Team UK at WorldSkills International is a huge achievement for me and I feel really proud to have got to this stage.
“Being selected for the team was nerve wracking as there was a lot of pressure on me to do well. The hairdressing challenges took place over three and a half days and involved cutting, colouring, styling long hair, applying extensions and perming.
“In April, I am going to Australia which will be my first time competing internationally. This will be great practice for me as I can see how other countries approach their work, the techniques they use and their creative interpretation of the same brief.”
The young people competing at WorldSkills International have already taken part in regional and national competitions over the past two years and will now face other contestants from across the world in a bid to be named the best in their specialist skill.
More than 55 skills competitions are taking place at the international competition in everything from visual merchandising and welding to aircraft maintenance and hairdressing.
Neil Bentley-Gockmann OBE, CEO of WorldSkills UK, said: “Think Olympic Games – but much more important to the economic future of the United Kingdom.
“This is a life-changing opportunity for all those involved.
“I couldn’t be more proud of these extraordinary young people who will be on the plane to Russia. They have worked tirelessly for weeks, months and years to be the best – they are a shining example to the next generation – let’s celebrate their spirit, commitment, and success.
“We are not only giving young people the opportunity to reach their full potential but we also believe that, working with them, we can transfer the insights gained from competing against other countries into the wider UK economy, driving up training standards for young people to world-class levels, giving a much-needed boost to productivity.”
Minister for Economy and Transport, Ken Skates said: “I would like to add my congratulations to the Welsh competitors on their brilliant achievement.
“Having the opportunity to compete on a global level is a potentially life-changing opportunity and a huge accomplishment for these impressive individuals.
“To have five Welsh competitors in Team UK is magnificent and goes to show the depth of young talent we have here in Wales. With Brexit, seemingly, almost upon us, showcasing Wales as a highly skilled and competitive nation is of added importance, and I wish them the very best of luck in doing just that at this year’s WorldSkills International competition.
“I am sure that the experience and exposure will be invaluable in whatever future career path they choose.”
At the last WorldSkills International, 2017, in Abu Dhabi, Team UK finished in 10th position and is hoping to replicate or better this result.
Team UK will represent the United Kingdom at WorldSkills International in Kazan, Russia in August (22-27).
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