10 January 2008
Gordon Brown has met a group of talented young people who represented Britain at WorldSkills 2007, the largest and most prestigious skills competition in the world.
The PM welcomed the 22 members of the UK team to Downing Street and asked them about the contest that sees 51 nations competing in areas such as engineering, landscape gardening, graphic design, hairdressing and beauty therapy. The UK finished in 11th place at this year’s event held in Japan in November, achieving a gold, a silver and two bronze medals plus nine medallions of excellence.
Guests were provided refreshments by students from Westminster Kingsway College, a further education establishment visited by the PM in November.
Mr Brown was joined by Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills John Denham and Minister for Skills David Lammy. Attendees included cabinet maker and gold medal winner Gary Tuddenham of the Edward Barnsley Workshop.
Speaking to guests, the Prime Minister said:
"Ensuring that the UK has a skilled workforce is fundamentally important to our future economic growth and to the life chances of all our people. What these young people have been able to achieve, and their commitment and determination to do well places them as outstanding role models for other young people.
"I pass on my heartfelt congratulations to the whole team for all of their efforts at WorldSkills 2007."
The next biennial Worldskills competition will be held in Canada in 2009, with WorldSkills 2011 taking place in London.
- Watch the film in Windows Media Player
- Watch the film in Real Player
- Go to the World Skills website (new window)
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