How do WorldSkills UK competitions fit into the WorldSkills Competition?

To select competitors for WorldSkills and other international competitions, UK Skills invites the most promising national competitors who meet the eligibility criteria to compete to join a shortlist of competitors. There they are joined by other eligible young people who have been identified by other methods.

Those selected for the shortlist are trained and then compete for potential inclusion in Squad UK. Squad members undergo a rigorous programme of training, support and appraisal. They then compete at a selection event to decide who wins a place in Team UK.

Team UK is then selected and continues its programme of training in the lead up to the WorldSkills Competition. The final team is announced around two months before the relevant WorldSkills Competition. Team UK and Squad UK are supported by Edge.

Please note: UK Skills makes the final decision on any issues regarding the team, team members and performance at any stage of the competition journey and selection process.

Competitions operating throughout the UK

Depending upon the type of competition and the number of competitors that enter, each competition will have either heats leading to a national competition, or just a UK final competition.

Training organisations, colleges, universities and employers are encouraged to run in-house and local heats to identify their strongest performers for entry to a heat or UK final.

Sector leads and WorldSkills UK champions will encourage competition activity across the UK to enable many young people and adults to test themselves against the best and show what they can do.