Six automotive technicians to aim for gold at WorldSkills in London
Six automotive technicians have been selected to represent the United Kingdom at the 41st WorldSkills competition which takes place next year; with five of them coming via the SkillAuto competition route.
Alex Knight, 19, who works for Gatwick Honda and John
Couldridge, 21, from Inchcape Honda in Romford will both compete in
the AutoTechnology category. Ben Eaton (21), from Sytner BMW
Sheffield, Gary Greer (19) from John Lennon Car Body Repairs,
County Tyrone and Daniel Matheson (21) who works for Bryansford
Coachworks, County Down will all be vying for a medal in car
painting and Ross Varnam (20) who works at Parker Accident Repairs
in Leicester will be hoping for gold in Autobody Repair.
The members of Squad UK for WorldSkills London 2011 were announced
yesterday by Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning
minister John Hayes MP at the Association of Colleges Annual
Conference in Birmingham.
The biennial WorldSkills international competition is the largest
vocational skills event in the world, where young people from 51
countries compete in over 40 different skills, ranging from cabinet
making to web design. The ultimate prizes are gold, silver and
bronze medals.
Speaking at the selection announcement, John Hayes MP, said:
"Vocational qualifications are essential to the Government's
commitment to securing a highly skilled and capable workforce which
is internationally competitive. The young people competing in Squad
UK are living proof of the standards of excellence found in our
vocational learning programmes and are fine examples of the
talented, dedicated and committed apprentices we have in this
country. This is why the Government has committed itself even
further to workplace training with apprentices at its heart, and I
wish every competitor the best of luck in the lead up to
WorldSkills London 2011."
Sarah Sillars OBE, Executive Chair of the IMI said:
"All six technicians have done fantastically well to achieve their
places in the UK squad and we wish them all the very best in the
run up to the WorldSkills competition in London. These
competitors have demonstrated the skill and technical competence
needed to work in today's automotive industry and their selection
to the national team now allows them to demonstrate their ability
and commitment on a world stage."
WorldSkills London 2011 takes place from 5th-8th October 2011 at
ExCel.