Three Historic Environment Scotland (HES) Stonemasonry Modern Apprentices who train at Forth Valley College’s Stirling Campus, competed in the WorldSkills UK event in Birmingham recently.
Fourth year MA Liam Macaulay, second year Jacob Millard and first year Luke Maher, all travelled down to the prestigious event on Saturday 23 November in NEC arena to join 500 other apprentices and students competing in more than 70 different disciplines – battling to be the best in the UK.
Liam received a highly commended (4th place) and all the MAs were in the top eight in the UK. The photo shows (from left to right) Liam, Jacob, Luke.
Stephen Townsend, HES Trainer Manager baaed at the Stirling Campus, said: “We are so proud of all the guys who took part in this competition and regardless of placings they have achieved a fantastic result in becoming three of the top eight stonemasonry apprentices in the UK this year.
“Both Luke and Jacob could still be selected for the WorldSkills team fighting for one place to represent the UK in Shanghai in 2021. We will be told if they have made it when we receive their final marks.”
WorldSkills UK LIVE, at the NEC Birmingham, which attracted more than 80,000 young people gearing up for a vocational pathway to work, was the backdrop for the all-important National Finals of WorldSkills UK’s Competitions.
Taking part in WorldSkills UK Competitions equips young people with the world-class skills needed to help UK businesses better compete globally. Those taking part in the competitions were also hoping to secure the opportunity to represent the UK at the WorldSkills Finals, known as the ‘skills Olympics’ in Shanghai in 2021.
Ben Blackledge, Deputy CEO of WorldSkills UK, said: “This is a life-changing moment for these young people. They have already won regional competitions and now their National Finals – they are the new generation of high flyers that will give UK employers a competitive edge. We couldn’t be prouder of each and every one of them – the standard of competition could not have been higher.”
WorldSkills UK LIVE, is deemed as the very best event of its kind in Europe, and is brimming with stimulating talks, hands-on exhibits, fascinating fact sharing activities and Q&A sessions with leading employers and scintillating entertainment.
Dozens of the UK’s major employers, organisations and educators had a high-profile presence at LIVE in their quest to recruit the next generation of high-fliers. Among them were BAE Systems, Toyota Manufacturing UK, Health Education England, Lloyds Banking Group, the armed forces, Middlesex University, Leicester College and Dudley College of Technology advertising over 20,000 training and employment opportunities.
The squad for WorldSkills Shanghai 2021 will be announced w/c 6th January 2020.
