Welsh Top Skills Talent Takes on Europe's Finest at EuroSkills 2025
Six apprentices and learners from Wales are among a group heading to Denmark in September to test their skills at EuroSkills Herning 2025.
Europe's largest skills competition will take place from 9-13 September. A group of 19 will make up Team UK.
They are: Mechatronics – John Doherty & Jason McVerry, from Armagh, Northern Ireland
Health& Social Care – Grace Longden from Macclesfield
Restaurant Services – Yuliia Batrak, from Cardigan, Wales
Industry 4.0 – Patrick Sheerin, from Portadown, & Caolan McCartan from Newry
Electronics – Evan Klimazsewsk, from Holyhead
Mechanical Engineering (CAD) – Stuart Lyons, from Lanark
Hairdressing – Katie Sime, from the Forest of Dean
CNC Milling – Tomas Ankers, from Wrexham
Electrical Installation – Jonathan Gough, from Waringstown, Northern Ireland
Web Technologies – Finn Gallagher, from Salisbury
Cabinetmaking – Stanley Mackintosh, from Norwich
Plumbing & Heating – Andrew McCann, from Aughnacloy, Northern Ireland
Cooking – Gabrielle Wilson, from Rhayader
Graphic Design – Melody Cheung, from Port Talbot
Welding – Luke Roberts, from Haverfordwest
Joinery – Jamie Mathews, from Ballyclare
Painting & Decorating – Shelby Fitzakerly, from Accrington
Selected and trained in skills excellence by WorldSkills UK, in partnership with lifelong learning company Pearson, the team will compete in a raft of skills disciplines. Team members have already been through months of competition and selection processes and now face the last crucial months of their intensive training programme for EuroSkills Herning 2025.
Minister for Skills, Jacqui Smith, said:
' Congratulations to all those chosen for the EuroSkills team, it's a fantastic achievement and a unique opportunity to showcase the strength of UK skills on the European stage.
'These young people represent the ambition and expertise being developed through our further education system, which is central to building a workforce fit for the future.
'High-quality skills are at the heart of our Plan for Change, helping to grow the economy and support people into good jobs. WorldSkills UK does vital work to raise standards and ambition across technical education.'
Team UK will compete in skills including Electrical Installation, Plumbing and Heating, Joinery, Cabinet Making and Painting and Decorating, as well as Mechatronics, Industry 4.0, Electronics, Mechanical Engineering CAD, CNC Milling, Web Technologies, Graphic Design and Welding.
The UK's health, hospitality and lifestyle sectors will also be showcased on the European stage with Team UK participating in Health and Social Care, Hairdressing, Cooking and Restaurant Service.
WorldSkills UK uses its participation in the EuroSkills competition to promote skills excellence across the UK and embed world class training standards. EuroSkills Herning 2025 is also seen as crucial litmus test to measure the UK's readiness to compete on the global stage at the WorldSkills Competition. Known as the 'skills olympics', the next WorldSkills takes place in Shanghai, China in September 2026.
Ben Blackledge, Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK said:
'We are so excited to be supporting and nurturing this fantastic group of young professionals as they head for Denmark to compete.
'They will be tested to the highest standards, showcasing the skills that global employers are looking for, and will return to the UK with the knowledge and experience that will turbo charge their careers.
'EuroSkills is ultimately a test of how internationally competitive UK skills are. It gives us the impetus to raise standards at home and help more young people get high quality jobs.'
Freya Thomas Monk, Managing Director of Pearson Qualifications, said:
'We are incredibly proud to support this inspiring group of young people as they prepare for the EuroSkills challenge this year. Celebrating the best of technical and vocational education and raising the prestige of the sector is very important to us. I wish Team UK the best of luck as they prepare to compete in Denmark in September.'
Pearson is the official partner of Team UK for EuroSkills Herning 2025 and WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, following a successful partnership at WorldSkills Lyon in 2024.
Held every two years, EuroSkills, organised by WorldSkills Europe, sees hundreds of young people under the age of 25 from 33 countries across Europe come together to compete for the chance to become the Best in Europe in their chosen skill or profession. Supported by Members, Sponsors and Partners, industries, governments, volunteers, and educational institutions, WorldSkills Europe is making a direct impact on raising the level of skills throughout Europe.
WorldSkills UK is a four nations partnership between education, industry and UK governments. It is a world-class skills network acting as a catalyst for: Raising standards, through international benchmarking and professional development
Championing future skills, through analysis of rapidly changing economic demand
Empowering young people, from all backgrounds, through competitions-based training and careers advocacy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Startling sum North missed out on for transport in 'decade of deceit'
Analysis by think-tank the IPPR found the North of England would have had an extra £140billion in transport cash if it was treated the same as London under the Tories The North of England would have had an extra £140billion of transport cash if it was treated the same as London under the Tories, damning figures show. New analysis reveals the Government spent £1,183 per person in the capital between 2010 and 2023 - compared to just £486 in the north. And it was even worse in the Midlands, where the figure was £455. Marcus Johns, senior research fellow at think-tank IPPR North - which crunched the numbers - said: 'Today's figures are concrete proof that promises made to the North over the last decade were hollow. It was a decade of deceit. "We are 124 years on from the end of Queen Victoria's reign – yet the North is still running on infrastructure built during her reign – while our transport chasm widens. This isn't London bashing - Londoners absolutely deserve investment. "But £1,182 per person for London and £486 for northerners? The numbers don't lie – this isn't right." The data shows £83billion of Government cash was spent on transport projects in the north since 1999/2000. The region with the lowest amount of investment over the period was the East Midlands with just £355 spent per person. Last week Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a £15.6 billion package for mayoral authorities to use on public transport projects across the North and Midlands. This cash is expected to include funding to extend the metros in Tyne and Wear, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands. There will also be a renewed tram network in South Yorkshire and a new mass transit system in West Yorkshire. Labour's Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood said: 'This report lays bare the way in which successive Conservative governments have short-changed areas outside of London and the south east, denying millions of people access to jobs, education and opportunity. ' Labour promised we would bring growth to every part of the country and we've put our money where our mouth is. As part of our Plan for Change we've announced more than £15 billion for local transport in England's city regions, delivering the biggest ever investment in buses, trams and local rail."
Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Poll shows voters have huge housing demand amid 'charter for greed' warning
Polling by YouGov found people are three times more likely to want the Government to build more social housing than encouraging developers to build more private homes Voters are three times more likely to want the Government to build more social housing than encouraging developers to build private homes, new polling shows. Figures show 58% want ministers to set a target for the amount of social housing included in plans to build 1.5million homes by 2029. According to polling by YouGov data, 48% of the public say that the government should focus on building more social homes. Just 14% said the government should encourage developers to build more private homes. It comes as the government's Planning and Infrastructure Bill returns to Parliament for its third reading this week. Green MP Ellie Chowns told The Mirror that without an explicit social housing commitment, the Bill is a "charter for developers' greed". She said: 'A place to call home is the foundation of a good life. But right now a secure home is out of reach for too many people – rents are spiralling, families are struggling to afford a place to live, and over a million people are stuck on housing waiting lists. "But instead of tackling the crisis head-on by building the social housing we need, this government is writing a charter for developers' greed, giving them carte blanche to bulldoze over communities and nature in order to build luxury homes only the richest can afford. "As a result, big developers will be able to line their pockets even further while ordinary people are locked out of affording a decent home." The landmark bill, put forward in March, will set out how the delivery process for critical infrastructure will be streamlined. Deputy PM Angela Rayner said at the time: "We need to reform the system to ensure it is sensible and balanced, and does not create unintended delays - putting a hold on people's lives and harming our efforts to build the homes people desperately need.' A spokesman from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said: 'The government inherited an unprecedented housing crisis, but we will get Britain building again and deliver the biggest boost to social and affordable housing in a generation. 'Through our Plan for Change, we are providing an £800 million top up to the Affordable Homes Programme and a £2 billion down payment on further funding, while our landmark Planning and Infrastructure Bill will drive housebuilding to meet our stretching target of 1.5 million homes.' :: YouGov polled 2,241 adults between 2 and 3 :: 'This isn't how we should be fixing the housing crisis' By Ellie Chowns, Green MP for North Herefordshire A place to call home is the foundation of a good life. But across the country, for too many people, just keeping a roof over their heads is a struggle. This Labour government came into power promising to fix this and finally tackle the housing crisis. But instead, they're writing legislation that would give big developers a blank cheque to build pretty much whatever they want, wherever they want – no matter the cost to nature, and with no guarantee that new homes will be affordable. We know what the result will be: more luxury housing in out-of-town developments that only the richest can afford, while everyone else is still priced out of home ownership, falling behind on rent, or stuck on housing waiting lists. This isn't what the public want. On the contrary: Brits are three times more likely to want the government to focus on building social housing, than on encouraging developers to build private homes. And it's not what this country deserves. Everyone has the right to a warm, safe, affordable home - and it's the government's duty to deliver it. That's why I'm demanding that the government use the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to restore Britain's social housing - by setting targets for building homes for social rent, and ensuring these homes are zero carbon and fit for the future. It's time to ask Ministers: will you build the homes we need, or sell us out to developers' greed?
Scottish Sun
15 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Premier League stadiums of the future with eight clubs splashing out £6BILLION on new grounds and major transformations
Scroll down to see how each club is planning on making major changes GROUND BREAKING Premier League stadiums of the future with eight clubs splashing out £6BILLION on new grounds and major transformations THE Premier League has become a dominant force in European football, attracting the best players, biggest viewing figures and making the most money. And as the league continues to grow - both financially and in reputation - clubs are trying to grow alongside it. Advertisement 36 Tottenham have set the standard for modern stadiums with their £1billion home Credit: EPA 36 Fulham have added a swimming pool to Craven Cottage Credit: Fulham FC Gone are the days of being able to get away with a warm pint and a cold pie at half time as fans try and cram into the terraces to sit on wooden seats. Now teams want architectural masterpieces as their homes with luxury hospitality areas, top tier food and drink, and a concourse that would make you debate even going back out to watch the second half. Tottenham have set the standard with their £1BILLION stadium built in 2019, fit with a retractable NFL pitch, in-house micro brewery and the perfect view from every seat. While other clubs have started to renovate their historic grounds, such as Fulham putting a SWIMMING POOL in their new Riverside Stand at Craven Cottage. Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL BRAVE NEW WORLD Gary Lineker agrees deal with new broadcaster just a week after MOTD exit Nobody wants to be left behind in the new revolution of what a football ground can look like, with EIGHT Premier League clubs now working on plans to improve their facilities too. Here SunSport breaks down what those eight clubs are planning and just how much it could all cost... MANCHESTER UNITED Cost : £2billion : £2billion Opening date : 2030 : 2030 Capacity: 100,000 36 Manchester United unveiled plans to build a 100,000-seater stadium 36 Old Trafford will be demolished and new ground will be built on adjacent land Advertisement 36 The new ground promises to be the largest football stadium in England 36 United have vowed to build the fan experience zone of the future 36 Sir Jim Ratcliffe believes United should have the best stadium in the world Man Utd have the biggest club stadium in the UK, but they want it to be even bigger. Advertisement The Red Devils announced earlier this year that they are planning a £2BILLION project that will see them build the 'Wembley of the North'. United's execs, led by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, are planning on making the stadium large enough to house 100,000 FANS. The club have put a rather ambitious five-year timeframe on the new stadium, especially given their dire financial straits at the moment. Architects at Foster and Partners, who will design the project, said the stadium would feature an umbrella design and a new public plaza that is "twice the size of Trafalgar Square". Advertisement Man Utd had explored the idea of expanding Old Trafford, but instead landed on the decision to create what will be the largest football stadium in the country - gazumping Wembley's 90,000-seat capacity. It won't just be an incredible stadium either, United have also confirmed the surrounding area will be regenerated as part of a joint venture with the the government and local council - including the addition of 17,000 new homes. As for the stadium itself, concept images tease a huge wraparound scoreboard, along with a three-storey museum and canal-side restaurants as part of a vast fan village. Things haven't got underway just yet, but when they do United will be able to continue playing at Old Trafford during the construction process, before demolishing the historic ground once they move into their new home. Advertisement Sir Jim Ratcliffe said of the incredible plans: "Our current stadium has served us brilliantly for the past 115 years, but it has fallen behind the best arenas in world sport. "By building next to the existing site, we will be able to preserve the essence of Old Trafford, while creating a truly state-of-the-art stadium that transforms the fan experience, only footsteps from our historic home." MANCHESTER CITY Cost : £300million : £300million Opening date : 2025/26 season : 2025/26 season Capacity: Over 60,000 Inside Man City's £300MILLION new stadium upgrade with futuristic Etihad project to rival Anfield 36 Manchester City are redeveloping the Etihad Stadium Credit: Man City 36 City are in the midst of an incredible redevelopment of the North Stand Credit: Man City Advertisement 36 The Etihad will have the largest safe-standing are in the Premier League after the redevelopment is complete Credit: Man City 36 The project will also add a fan park for supporters on matchdays Credit: Man City 36 Work has already started on expanding the North Stand Credit: Rex Just four miles down the road from United's Old Trafford is another stadium in the midst of a mega redevelopment. Advertisement Neighbours and rivals Manchester City have been investing their unlimited pot of cash into turning the Etihad Stadium into one of the best arenas in world football. At its current reduced capacity of 52,900, due to the ongoing work on a new expansion, the Etihad is only the seventh largest capacity football stadium in England - not particularly fitting for the best team in the country over the last seven years. Plans to redevelop and add more seats in the North Stand would likely see it become the fifth largest ground in the country, boasting a similar capacity to title rivals like Arsenal and Liverpool's grounds. The plans, which are due to be completed during the 2025/26 season, will reportedly add around 7,000 seats to the stadium. Advertisement But it's not just about more fans, it's also about increasing the noise and atmosphere in process. For City, that means adding a huge standing area of the Etihad crowd. That expansion will include 3,000 safe-standing rail seats, making it the Premier League's largest safe standing area. Away from adding more seats, City are also adding brand new hospitality area, which will house 800 guests and include a 500-seat food hall and a premium bar. Plus fans can look forward to an incredible Sky Bar with views overlooking the pitch and a stadium roof walk experience. Advertisement Work is also underway on the 'City Square fan zone', a 3,000- capacity fan zone that will offer up food and drink as well as screens for supporters to watch the match on the Etihad campus. A new club shop and a museum will also be added to the surrounding area to help improve on the matchday experience. And if you're wondering where you can stay nearby to be close to all the action then City have you covered - they're also building a 400-bed hotel. LEEDS UNITED Cost : £100million (estimated) : £100million (estimated) Opening date : Late 2030 : Late 2030 Capacity: 53,000 36 Leeds released mock-ups of their home ground renovation Advertisement 36 The stadium will see a significant increase in capacity Credit: X @LUFC 36 The estimated final capacity of Elland Road will be 53,000 Credit: X @LUFC 36 The plans are set to be completed in 2030 Credit: X @LUFC Leeds United secured a return to the Premier League thanks to their 100-point tally in the Championship this season. Advertisement And along with their promotion back into the top flight, Leeds have announced plans for a mega renovation of their iconic Elland Road stadium. The Yorkshire club have revealed plans to rake their current capacity of 37,645 up to an estimated 53,000 - making it one of the largest grounds in the country. Concept art released by Leeds shows a new look to the 128-year-old stadium. New stands will tower over the old brick of the ground and make for a combination of history and future for the club now owned by 49ers Enterprises - the ownership group in charge of the NFL franchise San Francisco 49ers. Advertisement An increase of nearly 20,000 seats - which will help burn through the club's 26,000-strong season ticket waiting list - will mean updates to the West and North Stands and a change to the South Stand. While there is no specific details of what additions will be made yet, Leeds have confirmed they will be making improvements to the general admission and hospitality facilities. A statement told that fans can expect 'diverse range of spaces and experiences' that will 'encourage early arrivals and extended stays'. Leeds have revealed that work will begin this September, but changes to the stands won't start until 2026. Advertisement However, the club have estimated that the renovation won't be completed until late 2030. At the moment there has been no estimated figure for how much the project could cost the club, but similar renovations have exceeded £100million. ASTON VILLA Cost : Over £100million : Over £100million Opening date : Second half of 2027 : Second half of 2027 Capacity: Over 50,000 36 Aston Villa announced plans to expand the North Stand at Villa Park Credit: Aston Villa FC 36 Villa want the stadium to breach the 50,000-seat mark Credit: Aston Villa FC Advertisement 36 The club have claimed there will be more space and faster service Credit: Aston Villa FC 36 A new club shop was opened earlier this season Credit: X @AVFCOfficial 36 Aston Villa to build Premier League's largest beer hall in 'The Warehouse' Credit: X @AVFCOfficial 36 A mockup image shows what the inside of 'The Warehouse' could look like Credit: X @AVFCOfficial Advertisement Villa Park is one of the Premier League's most iconic football grounds, standing in place since 1897 with its iconic red brick facade. But one issue with having such a long history as a ground is that things start to become outdated. Villa have now announced that they want to modernise their ground, changing the look and feel of the concourse and adding over 7,000 seats to the stadium. The Birmingham club want to breach the 50,000-seat mark, leaving their current 42,660-set offering in the past. Advertisement For Villa, it's not just about getting more bums on seats on a matchday, but also allowing them to be better hosts for the 2028 Euros. Villa Park is one of the host stadia for the tournament and will have a new look for the fans across Europe who come to visit. Mockups of the plans show a new modernised exterior, a brand new North Stand wrapping into the Trinity Stand and a two-story club shop. While there will also be the addition of a new multi-use space called 'The Warehouse' - which will include a new Fan Zone destination. Advertisement Villa plan on putting the Premier League's largest beer hall inside The Warehouse. LEICESTER CITY* Cost : Unknown : Unknown Opening date : Delayed, work to begin 2026 : Delayed, work to begin 2026 Capacity: 40,000 36 Leicester revealed plans to extend the King Power stadium in 2021 Credit: Leicester City Football Club 36 The club hope to increase the capacity to 40,000 Credit: Leicester City Football Club 36 The Foxes have had to delay the plans Credit: Leicester City Football Club Advertisement 36 The proposals also include plans for a hotel and indoor arena Credit: Leicester City Football Club Leicester may not be in the Premier League next season after their relegation this term, but they are strong contenders to bounce straight back up. Their plans for a stadium development of the King Power were announced all the way back in 2021, and have been delayed multiple times. The Foxes announced a project to increase the stadium capacity from 32,261 up to 40,000 - with a major change to the look of the ground too. Advertisement Initial plans showed a bubble-like look on the roof of the ground, a custom-built fanzone, a flasgship superstore and a 220-room hotel and business centre right next to the stadium. While the proposal also detailed a 6,000-capacity multi-purpose arena that would be side by side with the King Power, with plans to host concerts and indoor sporting events. However, the club were supposed to break ground in 2023, with an earliest expected completion date of late 2024. We're now in mid 2025 and no construction has begun, Leicester have been relegated from the Premier League twice and work starting on the ambitious plans have been delayed until at least 2026. Advertisement There is currently no estimate on how much the project could set back the Leicester owners. NOTTINGHAM FOREST Cost : £130million : £130million Opening date : Unknown, work estimated to begin in 2026 : Unknown, work estimated to begin in 2026 Capacity: 42,000 36 Nottingham Forest are set to renovate the City Ground Credit: Rex 36 In 2019, Nottingham Forest produced a computer-generated image of their potential new Peter Taylor Stand 36 Forest added hospitality pods made from shipping containers this season Credit: Alamy Advertisement Nottingham Forest are back in Europe, having secured a Conference League spot with their efforts under Nuno Espirito Santo this season. And the Tricky Trees are looking to make some changes to The City Ground that would make the stadium fit in alongside Europe's elite. The main focus of the project would be to increase the capacity by over 10,000 people to reach the 42,000 mark - a task that could cost around £130million. Forest want to do so by extending he Bridgford Stand and replacing the Peter Taylor Stand with a new two-tiered 10,000-seater structure. Advertisement The club shop and offices sit adjacent to the ground, and are set to be knocked down and replaced by a stunning 19-storey apartment block. This means the club shop will be moved and a museum showcasing the club's two European Cup triumphs will be added. The Reds also want to install solar panels on the Brian Clough Stand to generate their own power for matchdays. There will also be a "pedestrianised plaza" around the new City Ground. Advertisement Owner Evangelos Marinakis has his eye on eventually increasing the capacity to 50,000 should the initial changes prove a success. No date had been put in place for the plans to be completed, but internal documents have suggested work could begin in summer 2026. CRYSTAL PALACE Cost : £150million : £150million Opening date : 2027 : 2027 Capacity: 34,000 36 Crystal Palace are set to build a new main stand Credit: Crystal Palace/MDC 36 Construction work will begin at the end of this season Credit: Crystal Palace FC Advertisement 36 A new away changing room is currently being built Credit: Crystal Palace/MDC Newly crowned FA Cup winners Crystal Palace are yet another club with grand plans of expanding their ground. Selhurst Park currently holds around 26,000 supporters, but proposals have detailed ambitions to boost that to 34,000. The Eagles plan on doing it by building a new Main Stand, with construction set to begin this summer. Advertisement The new Main Stand will hold 13,500 supporters, compared to 5,200 currently housed in the stand that was built in 1924. While artist impressions show it will have a classy glass exterior adorned with a huge Eagle logo. Palace chairman Steve Parish said last summer he wants the club to have "a stadium the whole of South London can be proud of". As well as the new stand, Palace are also building a new club shop, a museum, a cafe, new dressing rooms and a fanpark. Advertisement It's thought that the project will total around £150million with a proposed completion date in 2027. NEWCASTLE UNITED Cost : Up to £3billion : Up to £3billion Opening date : 2031/2032 season : 2031/2032 season Capacity: Estimated at 70,000 Inside Newcastle's £3BILLION new stadium plans with St James' Park project to rival Old Trafford 36 Newcastle are facing a dilemma on whether to expand their iconic ground or find a new home Credit: Getty 36 The iconic stadium currently boasts a capacity of 52,304 Credit: Alamy 36 Advertisement 36 Although no official plans or pictures have been released by Newcastle just yet, the Magpies are planning on either renovating St James' Park or building a brand new stadium as they continue their development under the Saudi Public Investment Fund ownership. A world-class stadium would help Newcastle fit in with the teams they're trying to compete with – in a similar fashion to Tottenham's move to their state-of-the-art ground from White Hart Lane. Staying put would mean a huge redevelopment of the Gallowgate End, while leaving would mean building a brand new home elsewhere. Advertisement COO Brad Miller has promised a 'once-in-a-generation' investment into the redevelopment and that kind of cash will be needed to carry out what would be ambitious plans. The idea of a redevelopment would be to raise the capacity of the ground to around 60-65,000. While the idea of a new ground would mean that Newcastle could host around 70,000 fans, effectively increasing their capacity by almost 18,000 seats - that's more than both Brentford and Bournemouth can fit in their entire stadiums at the moment. The most likely place to move would be into the adjacent Leazes Park, however Newcastle are set to face legal hurdles and heavy resistance from members of the public who want to protect the Grade II listed park. Advertisement As a result their plans would see them use just a small section of the park with the rest of the new ground overlapping with St James' current footprint - plus a new parkland would be created where the current pitch is situated. A redevelopment of the Gallowgate has been mooted to cost anywhere up to £1BILLION, which is a crazy number in comparison to other expansion projects in recent times. Liverpool spent just £80m on their Anfield Road Stand expansion in 2024, and Fulham spent £120m on their Riverside Stand. But that kind of money may seem worth it when you learn that an entirely new stadium has been estimated at a cost of between £2BILLION and £3BILLION. Advertisement Reports have suggested that the club would be targeting the 2031/32 season for a brand new stadium, but would likely see an expansion completed in five years instead of seven.
