Hundreds of the UK’s most skilled students and apprentices have been named as finalists for this year’s WorldSkills UK national competition. Following a series of qualifiers, over 400 finalists will battle it out later this year to become the UK’s best across dozens of skilled trades. As well as winning gold, silver and bronze medals in 44 competitions, champions at the national finals will also have a chance to represent the UK at the 2028 global skills competition in Japan. The 407 finalists will descend upon college and university venues across south Wales to compete in the competition from November 18 to 20. It will be the last time the event is held in south Wales as the finals are set to move to London in 2027. View the full list of WorldSkills UK 2026 national finalists The finalists were selected from 4,400 young people from across the UK who competed in an initial entry stage competition, which was then whittled down to around 1,800 taking part in a qualifying round. Mark Smallman, operations director at WorldSkills UK, said: “Congratulations to everyone who has secured a place in this year’s WorldSkills UK National Finals. “Our competitions recreate the pace, pressures and standards of the workplace, challenging competitors to solve problems, think critically and perform at their very best.” WorldSkills UK said participation from universities has risen sharply by 42 per cent this year, likely from the higher education providers offering degree apprenticeships. Mandy Crawford-Lee, chief executive of University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC), said: “The growth in higher education (HE) participation in WorldSkills UK competitions reflects the sector’s desire to maximise its contribution to technical training, to creating progression to the professions and to increasing individual opportunity.” Entries from independent training providers also increased by 37 per cent compared with 2025, though the proportion of employer directly entering young apprentices remained stagnant and heavily skewed to large apprenticeship employers such as Amazon and BMW. “It’s encouraging to see the diversity of learners taking part continue to increase, reflecting the growing reach of skills excellence across the UK,” Smallman added. “That’s why organisations are embracing skills competitions as part of their teaching practices, they see first-hand how the experience builds confidence, resilience and the skills people need to be truly work ready.” WorldSkills UK chief executive Ben Blackledge recently urged more ITPs to get involved in the national finals in London in 2027. The 44 competitions this year include mechatronics, beauty therapy and industrial robotics. Eight competitions in foundation skills will test the 78 talented young people who have made it to the finals. Six competitors are taking part in a test competition in esports this year. While esports is not yet recognised at international competition level, the contest will become part of WorldSkills UK’s permanent portfolio for national competitions from next year. Leaders are expected to discuss new competitions at international level at the biennial WorldSkills general assembly next year in Mongolia.