Ruben Duggan from Caerphilly, Wales, is to represent the UK in Plumbing and Heating at WorldSkills Lyon, known as the ‘Skills Olympics’, which takes place from 10 to 15 September this year.
Ruben is a former apprentice who trained at Coleg Y Cymoedd and now works for PowerServ.
WorldSkills UK, a four nations partnership between education, industry and UK governments, is responsible for selecting, mentoring and training Team UK. Pearson is the official partner of Team UK for WorldSkills Lyon 2024.
Ruben’s training is overseen by Ronnie Ferris MBE, a WorldSkills UK training manager and retired lecturer who previously taught at Southern Regional College in Northern Ireland.
The UK has been taking part in the WorldSkills Competition since 1953 and the event is used by governments around the world, economists and global business leaders as a litmus test to measure preparedness to optimise future economic growth.
WorldSkills Lyon 2024 will host over 1,500 young people from 65 countries, who will compete in 62 different skill disciplines.
Ruben said: “This means everything to me, I wasn’t sure whether I would get through to the end of the process, but now I can aspire to go to Lyon and win a Gold Medal.”
Luke Hall, Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education, added: “Best of luck to our remarkably talented competitors at this summer’s “skills Olympics”. WorldSkills is an excellent opportunity to prove on the global stage that we have built a world class skills and apprenticeship system. I am hoping for a podium sweep from our apprentices and students in Lyon.”
Ben Blackledge, chief executive at 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.”