Team UK has been officially named for
WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, the international skills competition widely regarded as the “Skills Olympics”, where the world’s most talented apprentices and young professionals compete in a demanding test of technical excellence, precision and innovation.
Among the UK contingent are a strong group of engineering competitors drawn from manufacturing, energy, automation and advanced technologies. Competing under the
WorldSkills UK banner, they will take on opponents from more than 80 countries at what is considered to be the global benchmark for vocational and technical skills.
Representing the UK in Mechatronics are Emily Bettridge, aged 23, and Liz Hopkinson, also 23. Both are apprentices with
Toyota Manufacturing UK and will compete as a team in one of the most complex and multidisciplinary skills at the competition. Additive Manufacturing (AM) will be represented by Oliver Coombs, aged 20, who studied at Bath College and is employed by
BIMTek. In the CNC Milling category, the UK entrant is Tomas Ankers, aged 18, who studied at Coleg Cambria and is currently an apprentice at
Electroimpact in Wales.
Competing in the Industry 4.0 category are Caolan McCartan and Patrick Sheerin, both aged 24. Both studied at Southern Regional College in Northern Ireland, with Patrick now working at
A J Power. Mechanical Engineering CAD will be represented by Stuart Lyons, aged 21, from Hamilton. He studied at New College Lanarkshire and is employed by
Glacier Energy.
Meanwhile, the Renewable Energy competition will see Madeleine Warburton, aged 20, from Leicestershire, represent Team UK. She studied at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and is an apprentice with
RWE. Elyot Harmston, aged 23, will compete in Aircraft Maintenance and works at The Shuttleworth Collection, while Ruth Douglas, aged 21, will take part in Chemical Laboratory Technician. She trains at Southern Regional College and works for
Almac in Northern Ireland. Electrical Installation will be represented by Jonathan Gough, aged 22, from Northern Ireland, who trained at Southern Regional College and now runs his own business.
High-pressure tasksSelected, mentored and trained by
WorldSkills UK, the full Team UK delegation consists of 26 competitors operating at the very top of their respective disciplines. Each has progressed through demanding national and international selection processes, highlighting the depth of young technical talent available to UK industry. At
WorldSkills Shanghai, competitors will face high‑pressure tasks designed to test accuracy, endurance, innovation and problem‑solving against the highest international standards.
WorldSkills is globally recognised as the ultimate measure of skills excellence, offering nations a platform to demonstrate their ability to develop the workforce needed to support future industrial growth. The 2026 event in Shanghai is expected to host more than 250,000 people, including government leaders, major employers and education specialists. Around 1,500 young people from over 80 countries will compete between 22 and 27 September 2026. Pearson, the lifelong learning company, is the official partner of Team UK for
WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.
Ben Blackledge, chief executive of
WorldSkills UK, said: “
WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 brings together the world’s best young talent to compete against the highest international standards, giving the UK a powerful global platform to showcase its skills excellence. At a time when employers are sceptical about employing young people Team UK show just how important it is to have young professionals in the workforce.
“These young technicians have an incredibly valuable mix of world-class technical skills, impressive employability skills and a mindset to succeed. If we are serious about tackling the NEET challenge, we need to get more young people ready for work, and skills competitions are a proven way to improve engagement in training and work readiness.”
CNC Milling competitor Tomas Ankers said: “It hasn’t fully sunk in yet — I don’t think I can describe what it feels like to be told I have made Team UK. I know everyone at Electroimpact will be over the moon.
WorldSkills UK has been such an important part of my journey; it has helped me secure my apprenticeship at the company by giving me the experience and confidence to stand out in my interview and it is an amazing feeling to now be continuing that journey all the way to China!”
Freya Thomas Monk, managing director of
Pearson Qualifications said: "Every member of Team UK has earned their place through exceptional dedication and commitment to their chosen fields, representing the very best of our nation’s talent.
WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 is an opportunity to celebrate their vocational and technical expertise, and the skill, determination, and ambition it takes to set new benchmarks for excellence on the global stage. Pearson is proud to support Team UK as they take on this extraordinary challenge and inspire future generations to aim high and believe in their potential.”