Wales to host WorldSkills UK National Finals 2025
Cymru i gynnal Rowndiau Terfynol Cenedlaethol WorldSkills UK 2025
WorldSkills UK has announced it will be partnering with the Welsh Government and Inspiring Skills Excellence to host the WorldSkills UK National Finals 2025 in Wales for the first time ever.
Wales will be gearing up to welcome the UK’s finest talent next November on the back of an incredibly successful final in Lyon this September, where two Welsh competitors brought home awards. Ruben Duggen bagged a Silver in Plumbing, while Ruby Pile was voted Best in Nation for her professionalism in Restaurant Services.
Welsh Government Skills Minister Jack Sargeant said:
“As a former apprentice myself, earning whilst learning was a game-changer for me and apprentices like Ruben.
“I'm proud that Wales will host the WorldSkills Finals UK 2025.
“I’m sure Ruben’s achievement this year and welcoming the national competition here next year will inspire many potential Welsh apprentices of the future.”
During the National Finals, young people from across the UK will be tested in skills as diverse as Aircraft Maintenance, 3D Digital Game Art, Welding and Health and Social Care, Cooking and Electrical Installation. Those who excel may be considered to represent the UK at future international WorldSkills Competitions.
The WorldSkills UK Competitions are an integral part of the post-16 education and training calendar and attract over 6,000 registrations from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland annually. They provide education institutions and employers with an opportunity to benchmark the abilities of their students and apprentices against international standards.
Ben Blackledge, Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK said:
“It will be fantastic to bring the WorldSkills UK National Finals to South Wales next year.
“Our skills competitions programmes are central to driving excellence in technical education, helping learners demonstrate their readiness for high skilled jobs in sectors vital for the UK economy. Working with our partners in Wales we will celebrate the UK's best young technicians and draw attention to the role that world-class skills play in our economy.”
Paul Evans, Skills Ambassador for Wales and Project Director of Inspiring Skills Excellence said:
“We are beyond delighted to bring the WorldSkills UK National Finals to Wales in 2025
“We know from our strong participation in Wales that competition activity offers life changing opportunities to young people. It brings a competitive edge to employers and broadens knowledge and expertise across the education and training sector.
“We’re looking forward to celebrating technical skills and welcoming the best from across the UK to an exceptional event.”
Notes to editors
Notes
- The WorldSkills UK National Finals will take place this year from 19 – 22 November in venues across Greater Manchester. The Greater Manchester Colleges Group, who partnered with WorldSkills UK to host the Finals in 2023 and 2024, will hand the ‘baton’ over to Inspiring Skills Excellence in Wales at this year’s Medal Ceremony which will be held at Bridgewater Hall on 22 November.
- Those that excel in the national competitions and who are age eligible will be selected to join the training programme for the international WorldSkills Competition. The young people who compete at the 2025 National Finals will be eligible for WorldSkills Japan 2028. (WorldSkills Shanghai Squad will be selected at this year’s national finals which take place in 2024).
About WorldSkills UK
WorldSkills UK is a four nations partnership between education, industry and UK governments. It is a world-class skills network acting as a catalyst for:
- raising standards, through international benchmarking and professional development
- championing future skills, through analysis of rapidly changing economic demand
- empowering young people, from all backgrounds, through competitions-based training and careers advocacy.
For more information, please visit www.worldskillsuk.org
About Inspiring Skills Excellence
Inspiring Skills Excellence holds a unique position through established links with FE colleges, HE institutions, work-based learning providers and employer-led organisations across Wales. Through this network of stakeholders, the project has showcased the skills of people in Wales and achieved annual success at a regional, national and international level. Through collaboration Inspiring Skills Excellence works with partners to use competitions as a tool for promoting higher level skills and inspiring young people to reach higher and move forward with confidence.