UK’s top electrical talent head to EuroSkills

The UK’s very brightest and best young apprentices and learners are heading to Denmark in September, to test their skills against the crème de la crème of Europe at EuroSkills Herning 2025.  It is Europe’s largest skills competition and takes place from 9-13 September.

In the Electrical Installation category Jonathan Gough, apprenticed to MD Electrics and training at Southern Regional College has been chosen to represent the UK.

The WorldSkills UK squad for Electrical Installation is led by WorldSkills UK Training Manager Mitchel Smith. Mitchel is responsible for designing and implementing training programmes to prepare the squad for the challenges they will face during their participation in EuroSkills Herning 2025 and the journey through to WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. Mitchel will work closely with NICEIC training experts as well as educators and training partners from across the sector to ensure the squad receive the highest quality training and support.

Team UK will compete in skills crucial to the Government’s ambition to build 1.5 million homes and create new modern places of work. These skills include Electrical Installation, Plumbing and Heating, Joinery, Cabinet Making and Painting and Decorating. 

WorldSkills UK uses its participation in the EuroSkills competition to promote skills excellence across the UK and embed world class training standards. EuroSkills Herning 2025 is also seen as crucial litmus test to measure the UK’s readiness to compete on the global stage at the WorldSkills Competition. Known as the ‘skills olympics’, the next WorldSkills takes place in Shanghai, China in September 2026.

Mitchel Smith, NICEIC Technical Training Developer and WorldSkills UK Training Manager for Electrical Installation, said:

“EuroSkills Herning is an important milestone on our journey to WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. EuroSkills provides a unique platform for competitors to hone their skills, gain invaluable experience, and benchmark their abilities against the best in Europe.

“I want to congratulate Jonathan on his selection to represent the UK at EuroSkills Herning 2025. Jonathan has been making fantastic progress, improving his technical skills every day and I am looking forward to seeing him put that into practice in Herning. Our performance at EuroSkills will be instrumental in shaping our strategies and preparations for WorldSkills Shanghai next year.”

Jacqui Smith, Minister for Skills, said:

“Congratulations to all those chosen for the EuroSkills team, it’s a fantastic achievement and a unique opportunity to showcase the strength of UK skills on the European stage.

“These young people represent the ambition and expertise being developed through our further education system, which is central to building a workforce fit for the future.

“High-quality skills are at the heart of our Plan for Change, helping to grow the economy and support people into good jobs. WorldSkills UK does vital work to raise standards and ambition across technical education.”