WorldSkills UK announces five automotive apprentices
WorldSkills UK has announced five automotive apprentices joining its 18-month training programme ahead of WorldSkills Shanghai in September 2026.
The apprentices were selected after excelling in the WorldSkills UK national competitions run in partnership with IMI.
They will now take part in the intensive training programme with the aim of being selected for the UK team taking part in China next year.
Selected in the Autobody Repair category are Nathan Hoe, an apprentice with Steer Automotive Group, and Joe Wilton, an apprentice with SDM Paintwork and who trains at Riverpark Training.
In the Car Painting category the apprentices selected are Teagan Whiteman from Fix Auto Newport, who trains at Coleg Gwent, Oisin McKerr, who attends Southern Regional College and works at Porters Bodyshop, and Ben Robertson, who attends Southern Regional College and works at G&H Autos.
Ben Blackledge, chief executive, WorldSkills UK said: “We are so excited to welcome this fantastic group of young technicians on to our international programme. They will be developing the skills that employers are crying out for which will fuel business growth across our economy.
“WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 will be bigger than ever before with even higher standards, giving us a vital platform to learn from the very best in the world and bring skills excellence to more young people across the UK.”
More than 1,500 people from over 80 countries will take part in WorldSkills next year.
