FE Week is calling on the sector to get behind Team UK as 28 of the country’s most talented young professionals set off for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. Next week, the competitors will line up alongside nearly 1,400 rivals from 80 countries after months of intensive training. They will put their skills to the test over four days in front of an anticipated half a million spectators, with gold, silver and bronze medals at stake. The competitors bonded at a bootcamp last month ahead of their journey east to China. Aircraft maintenance competitor Elyot Harmston told FE Week he was feeling “a lot of excitement” mixed with some nerves. “Mostly it’s excitement for getting there and getting started. I think we’ve trained as much as we can,” he said. Web technologies competitor Finn Gallagher said it felt “surreal” that the competition was so close. “This is two years of work,” he said. “It’s a culmination of everything we’ve done, but it’s really exciting. There’s so much at stake, but I feel prepared.” Once they have beaten the jet lag and taken in the sights of Shanghai, the team will need to get their heads in the game and familiarise themselves with the workshops where they will spend four intense days competing against the world’s best. Add a message of support in the comments below Sector sends its support David Hughes, chief executive of the Association of Colleges, is travelling to Shanghai to cheer on the team. “I wish them the very best of luck, and I hope that they recognise just how special it is to be representing their country on the world stage,” he said. “Being selected for the WorldSkills UK squad doesn’t come easy; it takes dedication, determination and talent, and every member of Team UK should already feel hugely proud of their success.” Ben Rowland, chief executive of the Association of Employment and Learning Providers, said it was fantastic to hear about Team UK’s training at its annual conference earlier this year. “Their selection is a tremendous achievement, and they will travel with the admiration and support of the entire skills sector,” he said. “Everyone at AELP wishes them every success in Shanghai.” Find out more about Team UK here Colleges and training providers have also sent personal messages to the competitors. Eric Masuku, an engineering lecturer at Bath College, had a special message for additive manufacturing competitor Oliver Coombs. “It has been a pleasure and pride of mine to see you on this journey from the online selection more than two years ago to now,” he said. “You have embraced every challenge in your stride and have developed admirable technical skills and resilience. Enjoy the competition in Shanghai, make new friends and give it your best shot. We are all rooting for you.” David Gardner, principal of Tyne Coast College, said beauty therapy competitor Neve Dunn’s selection was recognition of the dedication and professionalism she had demonstrated throughout her studies. “As Neve prepares to compete against some of the world’s most talented young beauty professionals, she will be showcasing the very best of UK vocational education on a global stage,” Gardner said. “Her journey to WorldSkills has been an inspiration to fellow students and staff across South Tyneside College, and we are excited to follow her progress as she represents both Team UK and the North East in Shanghai.” In Wales, Coleg Gwent skills competition manager Richard Wheeler, who is also a training manager in car painting, sent warm wishes to all 28 competitors. He said: “I’d like to wish all of Team UK the very best of luck as they head to Shanghai to compete at WorldSkills. Reaching this level is a fantastic achievement, and I hope every competitor can enjoy the experience and perform to the very best of their ability. “A special good luck to our own Logan Cook, who will be competing in 3D Digital Game Art. We’re incredibly proud of Logan and wish him every success as he takes to the world stage. Go well, Logan, and go well Team UK!” Eight members of this year’s team hail from Northern Ireland, five of whom studied at Southern Regional College: car painter Oisin McKerr, chemical laboratory technician Ruth Douglas, electrician Jonathan Gough, and industry 4.0 duo Caolan McCartan and Patrick Sheerin. The college’s principal and chief executive, Lee Campbell, said each had demonstrated “resilience, discipline and a real commitment to continually improving their skills” to earn their place on Team UK. He added: “Their success also provides real inspiration for other students across the college, showing just how far skills, ambition and hard work can take you. “We are incredibly excited to see them put their skills to the test against the world’s best in Shanghai and we will be behind them every step of the way.” Autobody repair competitor Joe Wilton began his apprenticeship at Riverpark Training in 2021. His tutor, Colin Hagan, said Wilton had always been a positive-minded person who wanted to “shape his own destiny”. “We wish him the highest success at WorldSkills Shanghai and know that he is an excellent ambassador for the UK in China,” he said. “He is a positive, highly skilled and very determined competitor who has listened and challenged his peers on many occasions to get what works for him.”