WorldSkills UK Skills Competitions
New Competition information pack
What are WorldSkills UK Skills Competitions?
WorldSkills UK Skills Competitions, part of Find a Future, inspire young people to be
ambitious in their pursuit of skills to the highest level. Through local, national and
international competition activity, WorldSkills UK plays a vital role in raising standards,
esteem and levels of expertise in further education and skills, rewarding exceptional talent.
Taking part in Competitions is proven to enhance a competitor’s learning and development.
The projects focus the competitors on building attributes valued by employers, including
team work, prioritisation, time management and working under pressure.
Success in most WorldSkills UK Skills Competitions can lead to competitors representing the
UK at the biennial WorldSkills International Competition. This event pits the best young
talent from over 65 countries and regions around the globe against one another to crown the
world champion.
Find a Future believes in the value of Skills Competitions, which have been seen to make a
significant contribution towards:

Raising standards in mainstream vocational education and training (VET), especially
apprenticeships. The Competitions encourage increased aspirations for all learners
and educators, including through benchmarking at individual, cohort, organisation,
UK and international levels.

Showcasing excellence in skills to a national audience, raising the esteem and
perception of skills and inspiring young people to follow a vocational pathway.

Showcasing on a global stage the excellence of UK VET and industry through
success at WorldSkills International.
It follows that Find a Future invests in Competitions that have a close link to mainstream
education and training, that represent priority skills in industry and that can attract and excite
an audience. WorldSkills UK Skills Competitions must be relevant and accessible to the
whole of the UK – Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England.
Find a Future must also take into account the sustainability of the Competition with only a
modest public contribution – is there sufficient investment from FE, HE and industry to
assure the long-term future of the Competition? Does the organisation proposing ownership
of this Competition have sufficient industry links to ensure the success of this project? How
well does this skill fit in with the priorities of UK PLC and in particular the future needs of
industry.
All of these factors form part of the consideration before agreeing to the inclusion of a
Competition in the WorldSkills UK Skills Competition portfolio. There is no set limit on new
Competitions but it is important to note that it is likely that a small number of applications will
be accepted and the progression of applications is subject to affordability and business
need.
The role of the Competition Organising Partner
The Competition Organising Partner is responsible for the design, delivery, quality,
sustainability and promotion of the Skills Competitions delivered within their footprint. This
must be done in accordance with the WorldSkills UK Quality and Partner Management
Framework and brand guidance.
What are the benefits of becoming a Competition Organising Partner?
-
Having the opportunity to be involved in raising of standards in your industry.
Being able to promote excellence in the skills required to succeed in your sector.
Getting in at grass roots in inspiring ambition in young people and adults interested in
pursuing a career in your industry.
Playing a critical part in a project that enables learners to realise their potential and to
achieve real success at their chosen career.
Brand profiling in WorldSkills UK Skills Competitions materials, such as printed
brochures and the website, as well as at The Skills Show.
What does the WorldSkills UK Skills Competitions annual cycle look like?
Dec – Jan
Feb – Mar
-
Apr – Jul
Aug – Oct
Preparation of materials for upcoming cycle, including:
o Pre-Competition activity materials
o Competition briefs/overviews
o Host forms for heat logistics
o Web copy
o Passive and online test instructions
End of year review takes place
Official launch of cycle
Registration period open for six weeks in February and March
Finalisation of test projects and marking schemes for Competition
heats
Receipt and marking of passive tests, is applicable
-
Running of heats
Quality assurance of competitors’ marks
Feedback sent to competitors once all heats have taken place
Invitations sent to those being invited to the UK Final, which is held
at The Skills Show
-
Preparation for The Skills Show
November
-
The Skills Show takes place
Basic information submitted for upcoming cycle
How does Find a Future help you to achieve this?
-
Find a Future will allocate your Competition its own dedicated Sector Lead Adviser,
who will guide you through the necessary steps involved in running a Competition. They
will oversee the quality assurance process and ensure that your Competition adheres to
the guidelines that govern WorldSkills UK Skills Competitions.
-
WorldSkills UK Skills Competitions operates an online Competition Management
System, which supports the management of all Competitions from registration through
to the announcement of winners at The Skills Show. You will be given unique access
details to this system, as well as guidance and tuition on using it effectively.
-
The Find a Future Contact Centre will be on hand to answer any enquiries that your
competitors may have, to ensure that communications with you are streamlined and
handled effectively.
Case Study: New Competition Organising Partner
Gary Howard, C-PDMS (Forensic Science)
-
What first made you interested in running a Skills
Competition?
I was looking for a way both to promote the young people
within Forensic Science education, and at the same time
to demonstrate that my company had the authenticity and
experience to know what it was talking about. A Skills
Competition seemed an ideal way to generate that
exposure for both parties but also provide a platform to
achieve greater things for these inspirational young people.
- What benefits have there been to your organisation?
We have a reputation and standing in the community that would have taken years to build
up normally. Delivering a quality Competition and working with all the other agencies
involved in WorldSkills UK Skills Competitions and The Skills Show, together with our
judges and educational establishments, has been inspirational to me. The company had
previously grown at a respectable level, but is now nationally known and well regarded.
-
How has the first year of running a Skills Competition been different to your
expectations?
I was unsure of the processes we had to put in place to ensure the Competition was
successful and engaging. I had expected that the WorldSkills UK Skills Competitions team
would take a lead on most things; instead they have guided and advised, but left me to run
the Competition. This has enabled the Competition to meet my high expectations and has
inspired me to look to taking this Competition on to an international stage, allowing the UK
to retain its position as the world leader in Forensic Science education.
-
Is there anything that you would do differently if you were starting your
Competition again?
The one thing I would do is shadow another Competition Organising Partner for a
Competition cycle. The help I received from Mark Poland (National Skills Academy for Social
Care, Health & Social Care Competition) was brilliant, but to see how a whole cycle of
Competition ran first would have made my Competition cycle better in the first year.
It has been an enormous learning experience and you really do have to think of every small
detail to ensure your Competitions are delivered to the high standard you want, but you also
need to make those mistakes. Having an innovative team around you helps because there
are never problems, only ideas and solutions.
- What has been the biggest challenge that you have faced?
Because this Competition has not been heard of within Forensic Science circle before, my
biggest challenge was generating the interest for the Competition within industry and
educational establishments. People don’t always see what you can see, so to be able to
describe the Competition can be challenging. After the first year it is much easier because
you have experience, photos, video and testimonials from the competitors, their course
leaders, members of the public, judges and, of course, those teams working within Find a
Future.
- What has been the most rewarding part?
The most rewarding part… well there have been so many, how can I choose?!
My proudest moment was when our winners were asked onto the stage to receive their
medals. Their faces said it all; it was amazing for them, but I was bursting with pride.
Seeing the skills area at the NEC for the first time and seeing the company logo swinging
above the skills area and on stage amongst such well-known names such as L’Oreal, City &
Guilds, the Edge Foundation, the SFA and so many more.
Watching the competitors engaging with the public on the Saturday, learning new skills from
the judges.
Getting the accolades from the management of Find a Future, the universities and the young
people who both took part and watched our Competition. That has inspired me the most and
makes me want to do so much better this coming year.
Case Study: WorldSkills UK Skills Competitions Partner of the Year
Mark Poland, National Skills Academy for Social
Care (Health and Social Care Competition)
What first made you interested in running a
Skills Competition?
It was something that the Academy felt would benefit the
sector, start to raise the profile of healthcare professions
and demonstrate the great care that does actually take
place as opposed to the few negative examples that are
featured in the media.
What benefits have there been to your organisation?
There has been better recognition within the sector with regards to the academy’s existence
but I would say that the Academy’s benefits really can be seen in the improvement in
general care being delivered to service users.
How have you seen your Competition grow and change since it started?
Yes, it has grown significantly over the last two years: we are at the stage where we are
having to put people in reserve as we have been overwhelmed with interest. This has not
only been from competitors, but from organisations wishing to be involved in any way they
can, as they can see the benefits that competing has brought.
What advice would you give someone running a Competition for the first time?
Make sure that it is what the relevant sector really wants, and that you have enough support
in all areas from both internal and external sources. The cost to the organisation can be
high, and therefore a strict budget should be produced and lots of working together needs to
take place to ensure human resources of the right level can be called upon to support.
What has been the biggest challenge that you have faced?
Explaining to new organisations that you really can have Health and Social Care as a
Competition of drawing in the crowd and selling the benefits of competing, as well as funding
for the sustainability of the Competitions
What has been the most rewarding part?
Seeing the competitors participate at the heats and especially at the final: the change in
confidence and personality is immense, as is the desire to be involved, from organisations all
over the country and the devolved nations. The fact that 6 of our finalists were deemed to be
of interest to the international team for possible selection was a huge positive! And, of
course, being presented with the WorldSkills UK Skills Competitions Partner of the Year
award was extremely rewarding, not only for us as an academy, but to demonstrate to all
those who have supported the Competition that what they have helped support has been a
success.
How to apply
Step 1: By 26th June
Complete the following application to propose a new Skills Competition. For any further
guidance please contact Andy Hall (ahall@findafuture.org.uk).
Please note that a wealth of information and resources can be found at
www.worldskillsuk.org
The application is to allow us to establish the context of the Competition and particularly the
potential demand for it and the sustainability of running the Competition.
Please note: Find a Future will contribute towards the funding of successful Competitions but
will not be the sole funder. It is crucial that other funding streams can be identified to
support the Competition.
Step 2: July
Successful applicants will then attend a live pitch and present the Competition proposal to
the WorldSkills UK Skills Competitions Panel.
Step 3: August
Should the pitch be successful, you will be invited to attend a start-up meeting which your
dedicated Account Manager to start the planning process, gain an insight into WorldSkills
UK Skills Competitions and work through the timeline of required activity.
Step 4: September
Formally sign up to the Find a Future agreement. Plan the soft launch of Competition at The
Skills Show in 2015 and prepare to launch the Competition for registration in February 2016.
Please note that the Competition will have to be planned so that heats take place between
March and July and the final is held at The Skills Show at the NEC, Birmingham in
November 2016.
Find a Future is the organisation that brings together WorldSkills UK Skills
Competitions, The Skills Show and The Skills Show Experience, providing
every young person the chance to unlock their potential and get excited
about the world of work. Through hands-on experiential activities and
Skills Competitions we help shape their futures and transform their lives.
Application form
Get involved…... propose a new Skills Competition
Organisation
Contact Name
Contact Number
Email
Website
Skill
Enter the name of the proposed Competition
Element
Criteria
Demand &
Standards
Accessibility
a. How will this proposed Competition impact and contribute
towards the UK’s future economic growth?
b. Please detail the number of starts/enrolments for this skill in
apprenticeships, further education, higher education and
employment.
c. Please provide an assessment of the level of demand for this
proposed Competition, reviewing SSCs, industry, providers &
employers.
d. Are there any existing Skills Competitions that are similar to
your proposal already running in the UK?
e. How will you ensure the Competition test project is reflective of
industry standards?
f. How do you plan to work with the sector to aid improvements in
teaching and learning?
a. How will you ensure that the proposed Competition can be
accessed by all regions and nations of the UK?
b. Can the proposed Competition be demonstrated in a live
environment?
c. Are the equipment and tools for your proposed skill easily
accessible?
d. How will you engage a wide range of competitors to enter this
Competition?
How does your proposed Competition meet each
aspect of the criteria?
Budgets
Partnership &
Reach
Framework
a. Define the cost of delivering the proposed Competition using
the following guide:
 Competition design
 Delivery (including materials and equipment costs)
 Other associated costs
b. How will you sustain the proposed Competition year on year?
a. Detail organisations that will actively support the proposed
Competition by endorsement or sponsorship.
b. How will you work with other organisations and host to
maximise the impact of Competitions?
c. How will you create materials to aid pre-Competition activity for
those interested in participating.
d. How will you market the Competition successfully?
e. How will you link with the international training manager should
your skill progress to international Competitions?
a. Detail how the Competition would be managed; for example,
will there be a separate project manager and lead judge? Is
there sufficient administrative support to effectivelt manage the
Competition?
b. What structure will the Competition have? Will competitiors
register directly to compete at heats or will they have to pass a
passive test first? How will you ensure that interest of
competitiors is sustained until the nation finals at The Skills
Show?
c. How will you ensure that objective and impartial judgements
can be made on the quality of the work the competitiors
produce?
Use this space to provide any further details about your organisation or your proposed Competition:
Complete and return your Competition proposal by 26th June 2015 to enquiries@worldskillsuk.org
If you have any questions, please contact Andy Hall (ahall@findafuture.org.uk)