Being held at ExCel London in October, WorldSkills London 2011 is the global final of the world’s largest vocational skills competition. Competitors from up to 10 different countries compete in front of an audience of more than 150,000 visitors to be named the best in their chosen skill category.
In June, Jamie and Ben will go through the final selection process with just one of them being named as the UK’s plastering and dry walling representative.
In preparation for the competition, both Jamie and Ben have received more than £50,000 of training from British Gypsum which stepped in at the last minute to provide funding for the Plastering and Dry Walling skills category as well as training for competitors. Further support came from The Worshipful Company of Plasterers and fastening specialists Hilti, who contributed a combined £6000 towards the preparations.
Last year, both Jamie and Ben competed in the national finals of SkillBuild – the UK competition which identifies competitors who are the best in their chosen trade and then provides the opportunity to compete for a place in the UK WorldSkills squad.
12 months ago Jamie narrowly beat Ben, winning the gold medal and leaving Ben to claim silver. Ben, aged 20, is determined not to come second again and is very clear about his ambitions, commenting: “My goal is to be number one in every competition I enter, including WorldSkills,”
Jamie, also 20 and employed by G T Contracts, is equally keen to win the gold medal which will be his second in as many years for the plastering and dry wall systems event.
Dave Hall, regional technical support manager at the British Gypsum Drywall Academy said: “We are delighted to be able to support such high calibre competitors as Jamie and Ben. The WorldSkills London 2011 event is dedicated to developing skills and as the market leader in plastering and drylining products, we are proud to be working with such young motivated competitors and helping them to achieve their full potential.”
WorldSkills International is an organisation with members in every continent. It is dedicated to raising the status and standards of vocational education and training worldwide. Its biennial event is the biggest international vocational skills competition in the world.
British Gypsum is the UK’s leading manufacturer and supplier of gypsum-based plastering and drylining solutions.
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