The nation’s athletes have been excelling at the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, securing numerous medals. Now, it’s the opportunity for apprentices and trainees to shine at the WorldSkills competition in Lyon next week.

WorldSkills, held every two years, stands as the largest international skills competition, often dubbed the “Skills Olympics.” This event gathers young talent from 65 nations competing across 62 diverse technical fields, ranging from cabinet making and plumbing to mechatronics, 3D game design, and cybersecurity.

This year’s event comes at a pivotal moment as the Labour government launches its Skills England initiative to address the ongoing skills gap in the country.

Skills play a critical role in driving economic growth, contributing a significant portion of productivity improvements over the last two decades. However, the Learning and Work Institute warns that the UK’s skills shortage could cost approximately £120 billion by 2030, with a potential deficit of 2.5 million highly-skilled workers alongside 8.1 million individuals with lower skills.

Recent government data indicates that from 2017 to 2022, the UK’s skill shortages have surged, with more than half a million vacancies attributed to a lack of skilled candidates.

In light of these challenges, the WorldSkills competition is deemed essential in elevating the status of practical skills and emphasizing career pathways beyond conventional educational routes.

Emma Roberts, the director of external affairs for WorldSkills UK, stated, “Our competitors will highlight the exceptional technical and professional skills that are in high demand among UK employers. We aim to ensure that young people at the grassroots level understand the inspiring success stories in skills, showing that technical pathways such as apprenticeships, T levels, and BTECs can lead to exciting careers.

Roberts further emphasized, “The focus on exceptional training standards is vital to enhance the perception of technical and vocational education.”

This year, a team of 31 talented individuals aged 16 to 24 represents Team UK. For employers, having a competitor in the WorldSkills team signifies that their training is top-tier, serving as a benchmark for excellence to school leavers contemplating their future careers.

Siemens has two apprentices competing in Mechatronics in Lyon. Rachel Wilson, their head of people, remarked, “WorldSkills is a fantastic acknowledgment of the emerging talent entering the job market.”

Among the competitors, Danny McBean, an electrician from Grants (Dufftown), is the first UK participant to compete in Renewable Energy. His manager, Darren Green, noted, “Danny’s representation in Renewable Energy is a significant ‘wow’ moment for local students, illustrating the extensive opportunities available through apprenticeships.”

In the previous WorldSkills Competition in 2022, the UK secured a respectable tenth place globally and ranked in the top five for digital skills, marking progress since its 1999 results. This year’s competition will include Additive Manufacturing and Renewable Energy, both crucial for the UK’s transition to a net-zero future.

Roberts concluded, “Participating in these events allows us to elevate standards in technical education and apprenticeships across the UK, providing numerous young people with an excellent start to their careers.”

Case Study

Kasia Gierek, a laboratory scientist apprentice at Italmatch Chemicals, is representing Team UK in chemical laboratory technology. At 22 years old and hailing from Warrington, Cheshire, she expressed, “Participating in WorldSkills is a tremendous honor and carries significant responsibility. With over 250,000 attendees anticipated, this presents a chance to showcase the quality of our education system and demonstrate that we are training our workforce to meet high international standards.

“Thanks to WorldSkills UK, I’ve connected with the Royal Society of Chemistry and now collaborate with them to promote STEM careers to schoolchildren. My experiences have afforded me the opportunity to share my apprenticeship journey with members of the Department for Education, which wouldn’t have been possible without WorldSkills UK.”

She encourages others to participate, saying, “It’s an incredible chance to challenge yourself, build confidence, and unlock various career paths.”

News Briefs

UK organizations are confronting a “talent cliff-edge,” with nearly 49% of employees expressing intentions to leave their jobs when the economy recovers. A report from HR software firm Personio highlights that three in five businesses have experienced declines in employee engagement. Personio’s chief people officer, Lenke Taylor, remarked, “Attracting and retaining top talent is already an obstacle, and our findings suggest retention will soon become even more difficult.”

Despite being derogatorily termed as “Boomers,” a new study indicates that older workers are thriving within the workforce. Conversely, Employment Hero’s “Wellbeing at Work” report reveals that 72% of Gen Z employees feel burnt out, compared to just two in five Boomers. Managing director Kevin Fitzgerald cautioned, “This generational divide should not be overlooked; these young individuals will soon lead the economy, and it’s vital that they succeed in their careers.”

This week is UK Payroll Week, but nearly a quarter of British workers have reported payroll errors in the past year. Although one-third of employees regularly monitor their pay, 11% only skim their payslips, and 10% rarely check them. Ronni Zehavi from HiBob noted, “Payroll continues to be a persistent challenge for companies, resulting in incorrect salary payments.”

As the UK’s largest manufacturing sector by turnover, the food and drink industry draws attention, yet less than half of youth consider careers in this field. To address this issue, the Institute of Grocery Distribution and the Food and Drink Sector Council has initiated the Make Your Mark campaign, promoting careers in data science and food security. Sarah Bradbury, chief executive of IGD, stated, “Food and drink is the largest private sector employer in the UK.”

Appointment of the Week

Counter Terrorism Policing HQ is in search of a change programme manager. This role involves managing a portfolio of projects aimed at ensuring public safety across the UK.

Applicants should be adept at overseeing national change initiatives and collaborating with various technical teams to deliver substantial outcomes. Candidates must possess strong planning, management, and communication skills, with a background in methodologies like MSP, Prince2, and Agile being advantageous.

The role offers a salary range of £74,002 to £85,474, along with a location allowance of £2,841, and is based in West Brompton, west London.

Applications are open until September 30th.