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Photo: WorldSkills UK
Scottish students and apprentices are amongst the 80 young people selected to join an intensive training programme designed to select the UK team for the 2026 WorldSkills Competition in China.
Amongst those hoping to showcase their skills on an international stage are over a dozen Scots. Between them they cover eight skills areas including digital construction, IT systems administration and renewable energy. Five Scottish colleges are represented in the squad as well as Glasgow Caledonian University.
WorldSkills UK uses its participation in the international WorldSkills competition to promote skills excellence and embed world class training standards throughout the whole of the UK skills sector. The process is helping to meet the demand for highly skilled people in crucial areas of the economy including engineering, digital, manufacturing and construction.
Worldskills 2026 will be the first time China has hosted the prestigious WorldSkills competition. The event will see 1,500 young people travel to Shanghai from over 80 countries. The UK will be competing in more than 30 skills categories.
Ben Blackledge, Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK said:
“We are so excited to welcome this fantastic group of young technicians on to our international programme.
“They will be developing the skills that employers are crying out for and which will fuel business growth across our economy.
“WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 will be bigger than ever before with even higher standards, giving us a vital platform to learn from the very best in the world and bring skills excellence to more young people across the UK.”
Education Secretary, Jenny Gilruth, said:
“Congratulations to everyone that has been selected for the WorldSkills training programme. This is a fantastic opportunity for young people to take their learning to the next stage, whilst getting a potential opportunity to showcase the best Scotland has to offer in skills excellence on the world stage.
“Continual skills development is hugely important as we navigate the challenges and opportunities in a rapidly changing world, and the Scottish Government values the work that WorldSkills UK is doing in this area. I have no doubt that this training programme will provide life-changing experiences for all of those selected.”
