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Apprenticeships 2021

Inspiring the next generation of workers

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Dr Neil Bentley-Gockmann OBE

CEO, WorldSkills UK

Twitter: @DrNeilB

We are privileged to celebrate the achievements of the very talented young people – role models for the next generation – who competed in the national finals of the UK’s biggest skills competition.


Years of dedication and months of training from students, apprentices and young professionals at their places of work and learning led them to the WorldSkills UK national finals and the opportunity to battle for medals.

This year’s finals were a living breathing manifestation of just how powerful the UK can be when governments, business and education work as one.

I saw first-hand the intense commitment of those competing to be the best and applaud their resilience.

A highly skilled workforce is the key to ministers’ ambitious plans to level up our countries, create jobs and put the UK at the forefront of growing global markets in areas like green technology. 

Testing skills under pressure 

More than 400 of the best came together at 21 venues the length and breadth of the UK to put their skills to the test. The finals test of their technical and time management skills under pressure, will be a major boon to their career prospects.

Skills will be the backbone of our post-pandemic world and it will be highly-skilled youngsters, like those who competed last month, who will be the difference for our economy, and our country, going forward.

Skills for the future 

A highly skilled workforce is the key to ministers’ ambitious plans to level up our countries, create jobs and put the UK at the forefront of growing global markets in areas like green technology. 

At WorldSkills UK, we are pioneering a new way of working to support those plans, encourage inward investment and give business and industry the skills they need. We and our partners have the experience and insights to make a difference. 

I would like to offer my congratulations to all this year’s finalists and urge many more to follow their lead in the years to come.

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