Team UK has reached an important milestone in its journey of skills development and international competition, in preparation for next year’s ‘skills Olympics’ in Shanghai, China, with a bronze medal and 5 medallions of excellence, awarded in the process.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of EuroSkills Herning 2025, Team UK, selected and trained by WorldSkills UK, in partnership with Pearson, was recognised for reaching the European standard in the following skills:
- Industry 4.0 - Bronze medal
Caolan McCartan from Newry and Patrick Sheerin, Industry 4.0, from Portadown, Co Armagh who train at Southern Regional College and work for Pronto Engineering Group and A J Power
- CNC Milling – Medallion for Excellence
Tomas Ankers, CNC Milling, from Wrexham who trains at Coleg Cambria and works for Electroimpact
- Painting and Decorating – Medallion for Excellence
Shelby Fitzakerly, Painting & Decorating, from Accrington who trains at Accrington and Rossendale College and works for SPAIN Building and Maintenance
- Plumbing and Heating - Medallion for Excellence
Andrew McCann, Plumbing & Heating, from Aughnacloy, Co.Tyrone, who trains at South West College
The bronze medallists, two brilliant engineers, from Northern Ireland, who worked as a team, celebrated in style and were ‘stunned’ to have secured third place so early in their training cycle.
Patrick Sheeran, aged 24, said: “I was in shock when they called our names out. I am speechless for a change - words can’t express the joy. We only had six months to train, imagine what we can do in a year! – we are shooting for the stars.”
Caolan McCartan, aged 23 said: “Shanghai is just around the country, and we will be ready. We are competing of the best of the best. It has been a tough few days, but we are bringing this knowledge back to our employers in Northern Ireland for everyone to benefit.”
Ben Blackledge, Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK said: “We are very proud of Team UK, who have shown commitment, determination and resilience over three days of intense competition. EuroSkills is an important milestone on our journey to WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. We took the decision to bring a young, committed but relatively inexperienced team to EuroSkills in order to ensure that they have the foundations and knowledge, that can only be achieved through competition at the highest level. We are firmly on track to showcase the very best of UK skills on the global stage next year.”
Team UK will now rejoin the WorldSkills UK squad and continue training with the aim of being selected to represent the UK at WorldSkills. Known as the ‘skills Olympics’, the next WorldSkills event takes place in Shanghai, China from 22 – 27 September 2026 and is considered the ultimate test of a nation’s ability to meet future skills needs. It is attended by government representatives, educationalists and leading employers from across the globe.
