WorldSkills UK

Emily’s journey to WorldSkills Shanghai 2026

What started with Emily deciding to “give it a go” has taken her from an apprenticeship at Toyota Manufacturing UK to representing Team UK on the world stage.

After leaving university during her first year in search of a more hands-on way to learn, Emily found her path through an apprenticeship. She is now a qualified Mechatronics Maintenance Technician and is preparing to compete alongside her teammate and now best friend, Liz, in Shanghai.

Her WorldSkills journey has helped her develop her technical skills, problem-solving abilities and, most importantly, her confidence. “I never would have thought I could do it, but I’ve been selected for Team UK now. If you don’t give it a go, you’ll never know.”

Read Emily’s inspiring story and discover how an apprenticeship and WorldSkills have helped her take her skills to the next level: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0xN3730

, powered by WorldSkills UK, in partnership with Pearson

Katie’s journey to WorldSkills Shanghai 2026

From starting an apprenticeship at Reds Hair Company to becoming UK’s best young hairdresser, Katie’s journey has taken her all the way to Team UK.

After winning Gold at the WorldSkills UK National Finals 2024 and competing at EuroSkills Herning 2025, Katie is now preparing to represent the UK in Shanghai.

Her WorldSkills journey has not only strengthened her technical skills, but also her confidence, communication and ability to perform under pressure.

Find out more about Katie’s journey and her advice for the next generation of competitors: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0xM-jc0

, powered by WorldSkills UK, in partnership with Pearson

Meet Team UK’s Caolan, who will be representing the UK in Industry 4.0 at the Skills Olympics this September.
From graduating in Psychology to pursuing a career in engineering through an apprenticeship, Caolan’s journey is a great example of where skills and determination can take you.

After winning Gold at the WorldSkills UK National Finals and a Bronze medal at EuroSkills Herning 2025, Caolan is now preparing to represent Team UK at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, alongside his teammate Patrick.

Find out more about Caolan’s journey, his apprenticeship and how WorldSkills UK has helped shape his career in our latest Team UK case study.

Read Caolan’s story: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0xLsV10

, powered by WorldSkills UK, in partnership with Pearson

We are pleased to announce our final Skills Champion, Tonicha, who will be heading to WorldSkills Shanghai alongside Jason and Lewis.

In 2019, Tonicha represented Team UK in Chemical Laboratory Technician at WorldSkills Kazan while completing her apprenticeship with Eurofins Forensic Services.

Now, she’s heading back to the WorldSkills stage, but this time as a WorldSkills UK Skills Champion.

Her journey from competitor to Skills Champion shows just how far skills can take you. Having experienced the competition herself, Tonicha will be there to support, inspire and share her experience with the next generation of Team UK competitors.

“I’m really looking forward to supporting Team UK, meeting people from across the world, sharing my journey to inspire others, and helping showcase the incredible talent we have in the UK.”

Read her inspiring story here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0xJt7t0

, powered by WorldSkills UK, in partnership with Pearson

Get competition ready with Champion Connect.

Our new online session series connects National Finalists with past WorldSkills UK competitors, sharing practical advice and first-hand experience to help you prepare and perform at your best.

Running from 17 September to early November, sessions will explore key areas including mindset, confidence, overcoming challenges and preparing for competition.

Sign up now: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0xJq-40

Team UK are busy training for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026!

Our Team UK competitors are continuing to put in the hard work as they prepare to represent the UK at the world’s largest skills competition.

Through WorldSkills UK’s training programme, competitors are developing their technical skills, building confidence and preparing for the unique challenges they will face in Shanghai.

Supported by their Training Managers, experts and the wider Performance and Wellbeing team, every training session is helping them take another step towards the competition.

We’re incredibly proud of the commitment and determination they’re showing as they work towards representing Team UK on the world stage.

Meet Team UK here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0xD1DM0

, powered by WorldSkills UK, in partnership with Pearson

From Team UK competitor to WorldSkills UK Skills Champion

Lewis’s WorldSkills journey began in 2017, when he won Gold in Web Technologies at the National Finals before going on to represent the UK at EuroSkills Budapest 2018 and the WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition in Goyang, South Korea.

Now, he’s returning to the WorldSkills stage in a new role.

This September, Lewis will travel to Shanghai as a WorldSkills UK Skills Champion, supporting Team UK and sharing his experience of competing on the international stage.

Having been through the pressure of international competition himself, Lewis understands what Team UK competitors are experiencing and is looking forward to being there to support them, while also helping showcase the UK’s world-class skills system.

“It’ll be great to cheer on Team UK from the other side this time and experience the competition from a completely different perspective.”

We can’t wait to have Lewis with us in Shanghai! Read his story here:
https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0xDgv-0

, powered by WorldSkills UK, in partnership with Pearson