FOUR former SkillBuild National Final competitors are preparing to represent the UK at the world’s largest international skills competition, WorldSkills, later this month. They join a total of 28 competitors representing Team UK.
The 48th WorldSkills Competition takes place from September 22-27 in Shanghai, bringing together around 1,500 young people from over 80 countries to compete across a range of technical and vocational disciplines.
The four former SkillBuild finalists for Team UK are: Joseph Shingler (bricklaying, who won the 2023 SkillBuild National Final); Stanley Mackintosh (cabinet making, who won the 2024 SkillBuild Furniture & Cabinet Making); Shelby Fitzakerly (painting & decorating, who received third place in the 2024 SkillBuild National Final); and Jamie Matthews (joinery, who finished fourth in the 2024 SkillBuild National Final).
SkillBuild is the UK’s largest construction skills competition for apprentices and trainees and is delivered by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) annually. Competitions like these are said to play a vital role in inspiring new entrants, highlighting the construction career opportunities that are available to them, and to help develop the technical and professional skills required for the industry.
Robert Smith, product manager (careers) at CITB, said, “We wish Joseph, Stanley, Shelby, and Jamie and the rest of Team UK the best of luck in Shanghai. We look forward to following the competition as they compete against some of the most talented young professionals from across the world. Seeing four former SkillBuild finalists represent Team UK on the world stage demonstrates the significance of investing in skills and training and inspiring the next generation to pursue rewarding careers in construction.”
