Students from across the region will be competing to be the best in the construction industry at the regional WorldSkills heats, hosted by Leeds College of Building.
WorldSkills UK is the name for the UK’s premier set of skills competitions for young people and adults. The competitions aim to encourage people across the UK to excel in their skill area. They also aim to help lift standards of training and performance. Outstanding WorldSkills UK National Finalists may be considered for potential inclusion in a shortlist for the team that goes on to represent the UK at a WorldSkills Competition.
The heats for both SkillBuild and SkillM&E are taking place on the same day, providing an opportunity to showcase talented students from a variety of sectors within the construction industry.
SkillBuild is the largest multi-trade competition in the country for construction trainees and apprentices and it covers ten crafts, including brickwork, carpentry & joinery, plastering and wall and floor tiling. Skill M&E consists of four skills competitions that seek to find the finest mechanical and electrical engineers in the building services engineering sector.
Students from the College regularly participate in regional and national competitions demonstrating the skills they have learnt in a particular craft area. Last year students were awarded gold medals in the Roofing and SkillPIPE competitions, along with a number of silver and bronze medals.
Principal Ian Billyard, who is responsible for encouraging organisations to get involved in WorldSkills UK, says: “These competitions are very important because they send a strong message to employers about the calibre of the students involved and they help raise the level of skills and the aspirations of young people. I wish all competitors the best of luck at the regional heats.”
Come and watch!
The regional heats take place at the College on Tuesday 22nd June from 10:00am – 16:00pm, which coincides with the College’s Golden Jubilee Celebrations. If you would like to attend or require more information on the event, please contact the College Marketing Team on 0113 222 6007 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Ian Billyard – Regional WorldSkills Champion
Ian has been Principal of Leeds College of Building since 2004. Amongst his many responsibilities he has agreed to be a WorldSkills London 2011 Champion which means he seeks to advocate the benefits of getting involved in this global celebration of vocation skills in his normal course of duties.
Download an overview of the sort of things that WorldSkills London 2011 has been asking champions to help them with, and watch out for useful diary dates that you might want to put in your own calendar.
Click here for the very latest information about WorldSkills London 2011 and how to get involved.