The 45th WorldSkills Competition saw 1,354 young professionals from 63 countries and regions compete in 56 skills in the Russian city of Kazan, with India creating their own history by winning 4 medals there.
Demonstrating an exceptionally high level of vocational education and training, as well as teamwork abilities, a truly unforgettable event saw the young competitors challenging for Gold, Silver and Bronze medals as well as the Medallion of Excellence and the Albert Vidal Award.
With skills grouped into six sectors at the KAZAN EXPO International Exhibition Centre - including; Construction and Building Technology, Creative Arts & Fashion, Information and Communication Technology, Manufacturing and Engineering Technology, Social and Personal Services, plus Transportation and Logistics – competition remained high and exciting during the week-long fare.
Team UK won four medals - two of them gold (Rebecca West, from Sussex Downs College, in Beauty Therapy and Nottingham University’s Haydn Jakes of, in Aircraft Maintenance), with Connor McKevitt, trained by Riverpark Training and employed by Wrights Accident Repair Centre, claiming a Silver in Car Painting, while Phoebe McLavy from Coleg Sir Gar, employed by Morgan Edward Salon, winning Bronze in Hairdressing.
The team were also awarded 15 medallions of excellence – which are given to competitors who have achieved the international standard in their skill.
Neil Bentley-Gockmann, chief executive of WorldSkills UK, said: "The members of Team UK, all under-25 years, championed the UK focus on skills development in front of a global audience, sending a strong message that the UK is a world-class place to invest, do business and create jobs.
"Governments, education and industry need to continue to work with us to make sure the UK stays at the cutting edge of global best practice in skills development."
Also speaking after the event, India’s Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Mahendra Nath Pandey said: "This time we expect India to occupy a slot between one and 10 among 63 participating countries here...We are trying to bring forward the talents of the Indian youth".
One of the legacies of WorldSkills Competitions is the increased visibility of skilled professional education, as one of the tools of social and economic transformation.
The competition also provides leaders in industry, government, and education with the opportunity to exchange information and best practices regarding industry and professional education.
