From photography to finance, from football to pharmaceuticals - there seems to be world youth challenges, conferences and competitions for everything at the moment. These opportunities for rising talent to showcase skills and ideas on a national and international stage have paved the way for many aspiring young people over the years. WorldSkills UK is no different - an initiative structured around 3 core programmes to champion young people's success in partnership with business, education and governments.
WorldSkills UK's competition cycle starts with National Qualifiers in your chosen skill, these are held all over the UK between May – July. If you are successful in gaining a top 8 position from across the UK in your skill you will then be invited to compete at WorldSkills UK LIVE. WorldSkills UK LIVE is an annual competition that stands as the nation's largest skills, apprenticeships and careers event.
Attracting more than 75,000 visitors, the competition is the pinnacle for skill recognition and proudly supports the place of apprenticeships and technical training in the UK. WorldSkills UK, Chief Executive, Neil Bentley says it best: "Our mission is to change the national conversation so that apprenticeships and technical education are seen as prestigious career routes for all young people across the UK, whatever their background, and on a par with university as a route into meaningful careers".
But what exactly does this have to do with engineering?
Well, Enginuity are the proud Competition Organising Partner of 13 WSUK engineering competitions. We support the competitions because we believe they offer a much-needed and deserved platform to talented young people who represent the very best British skills. The competitions Enginuity organise are:
- Aeronautical Engineering: Avionic
- Aeronautical Engineering: Mechanical
- Automation
- CNC Milling
- CNC Turning
- Construction MetalWork
- Industrial Electronics
- Manufacturing Team Challenge
- Mechanical Engineering: CAD
- Mechatronics
- Robotics
- Sheet MetalWork
- Skillweld
These skills contain competitions that are designed and delivered by industry experts in national qualifiers, followed by a national final at WorldSkills UK LIVE.
So who exactly can enter?
- Those at least 16 years of age on 1st September 2018.
- Employed having completed a UK qualification within the last 12 months, studying or an apprentice at the specified level of the competition.
- Currently either employed or in education / training in the UK.
Why should I get involved?
This unique competition boasts some equally unique benefits for competitors. Not only does it raise competitor's profiles within their organisation, it also gives them the opportunity to develop, benchmark, showcase and celebrate skills already acquired. It also has the benefit of contributing towards the completion of the apprenticeship standard.
For organisations there is also a great deal to gain. Past organisations involved in WorldSkills UK have enjoyed increased visibility on a national and international stage. Their involvement positions them as industry experts and strengthens their reputation for being a responsive, competitive employer. Another key element worth noting is that the competition contributes to the 20% off the job training requirements for apprenticeship standards (this can be funded through the apprenticeships levy).
If you're up to the challenge of putting your engineering skills to the test at a national and possibly international level, there's still time to apply. Registration closes on Friday 12th April 2019. For more information simply click the following link: https://enginuity.org/worldskills-uk.
