BRITISH ENGINEERS ON TRACK TO BUILD BETTER BRITAIN
19/07/2013 Enginuity
Semta SALUTES OUR WINNERS IN LEIPZIGSemta has saluted Team UK at the ‘Skills Olympics' in Leipzig, Germany, as they carry a torch for British engineering and light the way for our future generation of skilled engineers.
Coming home with an impressive haul of medals, the young, skilled professionals in Team UK battled to a fantastic finish at WorldSkills Leipzig 2013.
As our sports stars shone in Australia, Germany and Wimbledon – our skilled youngsters excelled at arguably the most important event of all.
Team UK came through the ‘Leipzig litmus test' with flying colours snapping up two gold medals, one silver, three bronze and 17 Medallions of Excellence.
The Team's engineers more than played their part in amassing the impressive collection of medals, bagging a bronze and 7 Medallions of Excellence.
Allan Cook, CBE, Chairman of sector skills organisation Semta, says the result will help inspire the next generation of Great British engineers.
"Wow what a fantastic weekend for this country!†said Allan.
"For my money the performance at WorldSkills in Leipzig was right up there with Andy Murray, The Lions and our Formula One guys! This sends a very powerful message to the World that we can compete with the best in the world.
"We send salutations and huge congratulations to all concerned.â€
Sarah Sillars, OBE, CEO of Semta, believes that outcome is a ‘Leipzig litmus' test for future economic stability and growth back home in Britain.
"We were roaring them on!†said Sarah, "and they did us proud.â€
"This is a massive indicator as to how well we are doing as a vocational nation.
"We must not underestimate the importance of inspiring and skilling the next generation who will have the task of building a better and more prosperous nation.
"Semta will be playing an increasingly pivotal role as a catalyst to help make that happen.â€
The RAF's Ben Tullett, aged 22, from Fleet in Hampshire, struck bronze for Aircraft Maintenance.
The Senior Aircraftsman Technician from RAF Odiham, was overjoyed when the announcement was made in a packed Leipziger Messer before an audience of more than 10,000.
"I am really pleased. We have all worked very hard to get to the finals – and to go home with a medal is absolutely fantastic.â€
The three-man Manufacturing Team from Yorkshire was awarded Medallions of Excellence – with a record score for their efforts.
Daniel Gebhard (21) and Andrew Maguire (22) both from Bradford and George Moffat (21) from Skipton, were among the last of the competitors to finish their gruelling Manufacturing Team Challenge.
More than 1,000 young apprentices, from 53 nations have completed four days of intensive competition in 46 different disciplines.
The results, announced at a spectacular closing ceremony, showed the UK has consolidated its position in the international skills league.
Four engineers also won Medallions of Excellence:
Andrew Craig (21) from Cardross, Glasgow – Mechanical Engineering CAD
Alastair Wilson (22) from Tillicoultry, Scotland – Welding
David Cargill, (19) from Ballyclare, Northern Ireland - Mechatronics
James Overend, (22), from Belaghy, Northern Ireland - Mechatronics
Prime Minister David Cameron said: "British ambition and ingenuity has once again taken on and beaten the best in the world and I extend my congratulations to Team UK. As we compete in the global race, this Government is on the side of ambitious young people who want to work hard and get on and we will continue in our efforts to build the biggest and best apprenticeship programme."
Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "Congratulations to Team UK who brought home six medals and 17 Medallions For Excellence from the WorldSkills in Leipzig. They have demonstrated that when it comes to skills Britain has world-class ability.
"Vocational skills are important to the success of every business. That's why in these difficult times I have prioritised apprenticeship funding, so that employers can access the country's talent to help build a stronger economy."
Official Delegate to team UK Jaine Bolton said: "I am so thrilled for them. We got 24 medals in London two years ago and 23 here.
"The fact that our Mechanical Engineering team got a Medallion of Excellence was particularly pleasing – achieving our best ever score.â€
For further information, please visit: www.semta.org.uk
Print this articleShare article:
Process and Control Today are not responsible for the content of submitted or externally produced articles and images. Click here to email us about any errors or omissions contained within this article.