WorldSkills Journey – Joinery
The journey
WorldSkills is an international competition that, despite not being widely known outside industry, represents the highest level of vocational skill excellence. With over 2,000 competitors from around the world competing every two years, it is a globally recognised benchmark of technical ability and precision. Established after the Second World War to address critical skills shortages, WorldSkills continues to unite nations in raising standards and celebrating craftsmanship.
In 2022, I was fortunate to represent Team GB at the WorldSkills Special Edition in Switzerland, competing in Joinery (Skill 25). Reaching this stage required years of dedication, intensive training, and progression through multiple national competitions.
Where It All Began
My WorldSkills journey started while I was an apprentice at Carlisle College, competing in SkillBuild regional competitions held across the UK.
In the summer of 2019, competitors were given six hours to produce a rod board, set out, and manufacture a small frame. The project was assessed across multiple criteria, including
internal and external joints, dimensional accuracy, and overall quality. Scores were combined into an overall percentage, with the top eight competitors nationally progressing to the next stage.
The National Competition
Following notification of my qualification for the national finals, preparation intensified. Evenings were spent in the workshop studying past drawings, refining joints, and practising full project builds.
The national competition took place at the NEC, a three-day (18-hour) event. Upon arrival, competitors set up individual workspaces that would remain their base for the duration of the competition. Unlike the regional heats, we were briefed on machinery and given limited access to drawings the day before work commenced.
After three demanding days of competition and final marking, I placed second overall, missing first place by only a few points. This result qualified me for WorldSkills UK.
The Beginning of WorldSkills Training
WorldSkills training brought a new level of commitment. Our primary training base was Brinsbury College, requiring regular journeys of up to 360 miles each way. Travel times ranged from six to ten hours, depending on traffic.
Training focused on preparing for a four-day (22-hour) international competition, involving significantly more complex projects and much tighter tolerances. External joints were required to have gaps no greater than 0.2mm, with absolute precision expected across all
measurements.
The National Competition
Although standard training lasts two years, the COVID-19 pandemic extended preparation by an additional year. While this unfortunately meant missing the EuroSkills competition—despite being selected—it allowed further development and refinement.
Throughout this period, milestone competitions were held between squad members to determine final team selection. Based on cumulative performance, I was selected to represent Team GB in Joinery (Skill 25) at the WorldSkills finals.
WorldSkills Finals – Switzerland 2022
In September 2022, my tools were packed and shipped ahead to Switzerland. Upon arrival, we travelled to the exhibition centre in Basel, where competitors prepared their work areas for the four intense days ahead.
Day 1: Rod board layout and manufacture of curved components, completed confidently and on schedule.
Day 2: Machining of the majority of components and fitting of joints, with work submitted for marking throughout the day.
Day 3: Early completion of the door assembly allowed progress on the frame, though time pressures began to build.
Day 4: A highly focused final push to complete the frame, incorporating complex interlocking joints designed to be fully disassembled.
When the final whistle blew, three years of training came to an end.
Results and Recognition
At the awards ceremony the following day, I placed 6th out of 16 competitors worldwide, achieving a Medallion of Excellence for scoring over 700 points, recognising performance at an internationally high standard.
Looking Forward
Since completing WorldSkills, I have progressed into judging and training the next
generation of competitors. Supporting apprentices as they develop through the competition
pathway is both rewarding and vital for the future of the trade.
We look forward to seeing new talent emerge and hope to support another competitor in
representing Great Britain on the international stage in the near future.