The six colleges that will host the WorldSkills UK national finals this year have been named today. Barking & Dagenham, Belfast Metropolitan, Blackpool & The Fylde, Cardiff & Vale, Edinburgh and Middlesbrough colleges have been chosen as the venues for a total of 62 finals between them during the week commencing November 14. The UK’s most skilled students and apprentices will compete for gold in trades (see full list below) ranging from bricklaying to culinary arts, and aircraft maintenance to hairdressing. Competitors who impress under the pressure of a national final could be in with a chance of representing the UK at the “skills Olympics” in France in 2024. Winners will be revealed in a special live medal ceremony show presented by TV presenter Steph McGovern from her Packed Lunch Studio on Friday November 25. WorldSkills UK deputy chief executive Ben Blackledge said he hopes witnessing the drama of the finals live will “inspire young people to keep developing their technical and employability skills”. During the finals, the host colleges will run events showcasing what they offer, providing careers advice and giving visitors the opportunity to talk to employers and industry experts. People who cannot get to a local event will be able to follow online through a special broadcast featuring live finals action, as well as interviews and advice from previous winners, experts and career advisors. Zoe Lewis, principal of Middlesbrough College Group, said she was “incredibly proud” to have been chosen by WorldSkills UK as “one of only a handful of hosts for this major competition”. “We’re training people at the cutting edge of technology and knowledge, and this competition brings together the very best up and coming talent in these sectors,” she added. The finals are the culmination of a seven-month process including regional heats and intensive training. The skills finals to be hosted by each college: Barking & Dagenham College is hosting 11 finals Laboratory TechnicianElectronic Security Systems Fire SecurityFoundation Skills: HorticultureLandscape GardeningRefrigeration and Air ConditioningIndustry 4.0AutomationMechatronicsFloristryAccountancy Technician Barking Dagenham College Belfast Met College is hosting 4 finals Confectionery and PatisserieCulinary ArtsRestaurant ServiceHairdressing Belfast Met College Blackpool & The Fylde College is hosting 13 finals Beauty TherapistBeauty Therapy PractitionerCNC TurningCNC Milling Commercial Make-UpCreative Media Make-UpManufacturing Team ChallengeNail TechnicianConstruction MetalWorkIndustrial ElectronicsIT Support TechnicianNetwork Systems AdministratorNetwork Infrastructure Technician Blackpool and Fylde College Cardiff & Vale College is hosting 14 finals Foundation Skills: Health & Social CareHealth and Social CareFoundation Skills: IT Software Solutions for BusinessFoundation Skills: HairdressingFoundation Skills: Restaurant ServicesDigital Media ProductionFoundation Skills: CateringFoundation Skills: MediaFoundation Skills: Motor VehicleAircraft MaintenanceAutomotive Body RepairAutomotive RefinishingAutomotive TechnologyHeavy Vehicle Engineering Cardiff Vale College Edinburgh College is hosting 11 finals BricklayingCarpentryFoundation Skills: WoodworkingFurniture & Cabinet MakingJoineryPainting and DecoratingPlasteringPlastering and Drywall SystemsRoofing and TilingStonemasonryWall and Floor Tiling Edinburgh College Middlesbrough College is hosting 9 finals 3D Digital Game ArtCyber SecurityDigital ConstructionElectrical InstallationGraphic DesignMechanical Engineering: CADPlumbingWeb DesignWelding Middlesbrough College