Published: March 8, 2007
Burnham-On-Sea design specialist chosen to represent UK in contest

A young computer-aided design expert from Burnham-On-Sea is celebrating this week after being selected to represent the UK at the 2007 WorldSkills competition in Japan this November.

Mike Westlake, 19, who works at British Energy, took part in a gruelling three-day competition at City College, Coventry against other shortlisted competitors to decide who would make it onto the UK team.

Now, Mike will begin a highly demanding training programme to ensure that he can deliver a flawless performance in the Far East in November.

WorldSkills is an international skills competition held every two years in which 48 member countries meet and compete in 40 different vocational skills, including Beauty Therapy, Web Design, Cabinet Making, Floristry and Engineering. At least 200,000 spectators are expected at the intense, four-day competition.

Mike told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "I'm quite excited about it. The UK has never won before in mechanical engineering, so we've got a chance to show everyone we can win."

The UK WorldSkills team is supported by City & Guilds, and managed by UK Skills, in association with partners from education, government and industry. UK Skills is a not-for-profit organisation that exists to champion skills and learning for work through competitions and awards, and organises the UK's entry into the WorldSkills Competition.

Jacqui Henderson CBE, the Chief Executive of UK Skills, said. "Every person selected for the 2007 WorldSkills team has demonstrated in the team selection competition that they are among the best in the UK in their sector. It is extremely exciting to watch them progress from national to international standards of excellence, and the level of proficiency they have demonstrated bodes extremely well for WorldSkills Japan."