Almost 600 people have registered to take part in the 2014 World Skills UK engineering competition, an increase of 37% compared to last year. The first heats took place at the recent MACH exhibition at the NEC, and all the heats will be completed by the end of July.

The regional finalists in all categories — ranging from aeronautical engineering to welding — will then compete with each other at The Skills Show in November. 

Sarah Sillars, the CEO of the Semta skills organisation, said:  “As the organising partner for the World Skills UK competition, we are delighted to see this boost in registrations.
The competition puts the most talented and skilled young people in our sector on a national — and sometimes international — stage.

"By showcasing the best of the best, we hope to attract the next generation of engineering talent into our sector.”