SFC news published since 2018. See SFC archived content for earlier news articles.
Four Scottish students are amongst the 31 young people preparing to compete for Team UK at WorldSkills Lyon 2024.
Known as the ‘skills Olympics’, the international event has included a UK team since 1953. This year’s team will be heading for glory in France just hours after the Olympic flame is dimmed in Paris.
The four Scottish competitors are Nathan Young, Finley Graham, Yasmin George and Danny McBean.
Nathan, from East Kilbride received his training in Mechanical Engineering and Computer-Aided Design at New College Lanarkshire and the University of the West of Scotland. Finley, whose training has been provided by the City of Glasgow College and Glasgow Caledonian University, comes from Airdrie and will compete in the IT Network Systems Administration category.
Glasgow’s Yasmin George was also trained at the City of Glasgow College and Glasgow Caledonian University. Her speciality is 3D Digital Game Art. Finally, Danny McBean who is competing in the Renewable Energy category is a former apprentice from Elgin whose training at UHI Moray led to a job at the Grants whisky distillery in Dufftown.
WorldSkills Lyon 2024 will host over 1,500 young people from 65 countries, who will compete in 62 different skill disciplines.
Team UK, which is sponsored by global learning company, Pearson, will be competing in disciplines including cyber security; renewable energy; digital construction; cooking; hairdressing; and painting and decorating. The event will take place from 10-15 September.
Ben Blackledge, Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK said:
“WorldSkills Lyon 2024 – think Olympic Games – where the prize is the world-class skills that UK employers are crying out for.
“The UK’s participation in the ‘skills Olympics’ will provide vital insights to ensure we can develop our apprenticeship and training programmes, to make them truly world-class.”
“I couldn’t be prouder of the exceptional young people in Team UK; they are fantastic role models. Together with Pearson, we will use their participation at WorldSkills to boost the prestige of technical and vocational education, inspiring many more young people to take up technical and vocational training across the UK to help drive investment, jobs and economic growth.”
Karen Watt, Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding Council, said:
“Being selected for Team UK at WorldSkills Lyon 2024 is a huge achievement and represents an incredible commitment from the young people who make it through to the team and also those who train them.
“It’s fantastic to see Scotland’s colleges and universities represented at the Worldskills event by these amazing young people. I wish Nathan, Finley, Yasmin, Danny and the whole of Team UK the very best of luck in September.”
