Beyond the podium: one Member’s reflections on the impact of a WorldSkills Competition

Last September, Luke Haile and Kasia Gierek stepped onto the global stage to represent the United Kingdom at WorldSkills Lyon 2024. Kasia competed in Chemical Laboratory Technology and Luke competed in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, proudly bringing home a silver medal.

Six months on, they both agree that WorldSkills Lyon 2024 was a significant turning point for them. The experience not only tested their technical mastery but shifted how they feel about their careers.

WorldSkills UK continually assesses the value of its participation in WorldSkills Lyon 2024. A longtime advocate for measurement and evaluation, Ben Blackledge, CEO of WorldSkills UK, wants to understand how Champions are using everything they’ve learned to grow their careers.

Ben says, “Through competition-based training, our young Competitors have a chance to truly hone their technical skills and develop life skills that are so important to employers today. That is why it is always incredible to hear how young people like Luke and Kasia are taking their experience on a global stage and using it to secure new roles and excel in their careers.”

He continues, “For us as a Member, taking part in WorldSkills Lyon 2024 gave us a vital platform to learn from the very best in the world. We are using insights from the Competition to bring skills excellence to more young people across the UK, supporting productivity, innovation and long-term economic development.”  

WorldSkills UK estimates that over 250,000 learners across the UK have benefitted from enhanced teaching practices shaped by insights it has gained from WorldSkills. This wealth of knowledge and experience has helped to drive forward its work in raising standards in technical and vocational education. One such project is the Centre of Excellence, a workforce development programme that empowers educators and education leaders to use international best practice to drive excellence in technical education and apprenticeships.

From the Competitor perspective Luke says, “WorldSkills was a game-changer. It gave me a heightened level of discipline, confidence, and technical skills that have directly fast-tracked my career. It has already opened new doors, and it’s why I’ve progressed quickly into a position where I can use these new skills and abilities more effectively.”

Since Lyon, Luke has been working as an aeronautical technician with Lightfoot International, where he began his career as an apprentice. He has continued to build on the momentum of the Competition by progressing onto a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Mechanical Engineering, combining hands-on expertise with a drive to deepen his technical knowledge.

“I am stepping into a new role focusing on product development and research, combining my technical skills with innovation to improve processes and explore new solutions,” says Luke.

Kasia did not expect to find herself in Lyon. She remembers, “Since I joined the training cycle late, I had no expectations of being selected for the team and was completely surprised when I was invited to join. In a way, this made me appreciate the opportunity even more, and I threw myself into the process!”

The experience of a WorldSkills Competition pushed her to excel. She says, “Before training with WorldSkills UK, there were techniques I’d never even heard of. I ended up excelling at one of them during the Competition and was the top scorer in that module. It proved all the hard work had paid off.”

Kasia’s training and experience in Lyon has already led to a new role at Innospec. She says, “I now work within the fuel specialties division, where we develop additives for a range of applications, primarily automotive, jet, and marine fuels. My role focuses on troubleshooting issues, providing technical guidance, and ensuring our products perform effectively in the field.”

Both WorldSkills Champions have had the chance to reflect on how valuable their skills are to the industries and roles they now work in.

Luke says, “Skills like working under pressure, fault finding, interpreting plans, and maintaining high standards are crucial in my job, just as they were in the Competition. Now under pressure, I naturally approach tasks with the same level of precision and professionalism that I was disciplined to do. It is just how I work now.”

For Kasia, the timescales aren’t as pressured, but the high level of quality expected is still the same. She says, “I usually have weeks rather than hours to complete a project. However, the skills I developed, such as problem-solving, confidence, and technical expertise, are invaluable in my everyday work.”

Following WorldSkills Lyon 2024, WorldSkills UK has also launched its competition-learning programme, which draws on its experience in training and developing Team UK to provide teaching staff and learners with access to world-class skills development and help them meet the rapidly changing demands of both existing and emerging industries.

But for now, WorldSkills Champions Luke and Kasia have one clear message for future Competitors preparing for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026: treat the journey as a catalyst for something much bigger.

Learn more about WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 and the work of WorldSkills UK.