What happened at WorldSkills UK 2025
- WorldSkills UK is the flagship national skills competition showcasing the UK’s top technical and vocational talent across many disciplines, from renewable energy and digital skills to lab work and more. It aims to prepare young people for careers by benchmarking excellence, raising training standards and connecting learners with employers. (WorldSkills UK)
- This year’s WorldSkills UK National Finals took place in Swansea, where students from across the country competed across over 40 skill areas. (FE News)
Middlesbrough College Achievements
Gold – Zac Cessford (Renewable Energy)
- Zac, 18, from Redcar, and an apprentice with British Steel, won the gold medal in the Renewable Energy category. (FE News)
- His challenges included complex practical tasks such as drone surveys of solar installations, electrical fault finding, mechanical maintenance, vibration monitoring on turbines, and PV (solar panel) consumer unit installation — all under competitive conditions. (FE News)
- Zac’s commentary:
He entered because it sounded like “a great opportunity.”
He loved the experience, networking with peers and industry pros, and is **excited about the chance to compete for Team GB at the WorldSkills International Competition in Japan 2028. (FE News)
Silver – George Hennessey (Foundation Skills: Digital)
- George, 18, from Eaglescliffe, secured a silver medal in the Foundation Skills: Digital category, demonstrating strong technical and digital capabilities. (FE News)
Finalist – Grace Measor (Lab Technician)
- Grace, 17, from Hartlepool, was a finalist in the Lab Technician competition — reaching the final round in a highly competitive discipline. (FE News)
Comments from the CollegeCollege leadership
- John Cooke, Associate Director at TTE (Technical Training & Education), said Zac’s achievement shows the quality of training and support at Middlesbrough College, and highlights the potential of apprenticeships to build world-class talent. (FE News)
Tutor insight
- Chris Vout, Zac’s tutor and lecturer in electrical maintenance, praised his focus and enthusiasm, calling his gold medal finish “a remarkable achievement.” (FE News)
Why this matters
Recognition at a national level: Earning medals at WorldSkills UK marks these students as among the best young skilled professionals in the country. (WorldSkills UK)
Pathway to international competition: Zac’s gold places him in contention for Team GB at the WorldSkills International finals — the global “skills olympics.” (FE News)
Boost for careers: Success in these competitions is a strong signal to employers that these learners have high-level practical skills, teamwork abilities, and resilience — traits often sought in technical and engineering roles. (WorldSkills UK)
In summary
- Three Middlesbrough College students gained national recognition at the WorldSkills UK National Finals 2025 in Swansea. (FE News)
- Gold – Zac Cessford (Renewables)
- Silver – George Hennessey (Digital)
- Finalist – Grace Measor (Lab Technician) (FE News)
Their achievements reflect not only personal talent but also the strength of skills training and apprenticeships at Middlesbrough College — and open doors to further competition and career opportunities. (WorldSkills UK)
Here’s a detailed summary with case studies and comments on how Middlesbrough College students earned national recognition at WorldSkills UK — including who competed, what they achieved, and what the participants themselves said about the experience: (FE News)
Middlesbrough College at WorldSkills UK 2025 — Overview
Middlesbrough College celebrated the success of three of its students who competed at the WorldSkills UK National Finals — a premier competition showcasing the UK’s best technical and vocational talent across a wide range of skill areas. The finals were held in Swansea, where competitors demonstrated high-level practical skills under timed, judged conditions. (FE News)
Case Studies — Students and Achievements
Zac Cessford — Gold in Renewable Energy
- Age & Background: Zac 18, from Redcar, an apprentice with British Steel, studying at TTE Middlesbrough College. (FE News)
- Achievement: Gold medal in the Renewable Energy category. (FE News)
- Competition Tasks: Over two challenging days, Zac completed tasks including drone inspection of solar panels, electrical fault-finding, mechanical maintenance, vibration monitoring on turbine nacelles, and solar PV consumer unit installation. (FE News)
- Comment from Zac:
“I just entered the competition because it sounded like a great opportunity. I really enjoyed the experience, and it was fantastic to meet other students and industry professionals. I’m proud to have come away with gold and I’m excited about the chance to represent GB in Japan in 2028!” (FE News)
- Next Step: Zac’s gold places him in contention for selection to represent Team GB at the WorldSkills International Competition in Japan in 2028 — a global skills “Olympics.” (FE News)
George Hennessey — Silver in Digital Skills
- Age & Background: George 18, from Eaglescliffe. (FE News)
- Achievement: Silver medal in Foundation Skills: Digital, showing strong competence in technical and digital problem-solving. (FE News)
- Comment: While a direct quote wasn’t published, securing a silver at this level highlights high-level digital capability among UK technical learners. (FE Week)
Grace Measor — Finalist in Lab Technician
- Age & Background: Grace 17, from Hartlepool. (FE News)
- Achievement: Finalist in the Lab Technician competition, reaching the final stage in a highly demanding science-based category. (WorldSkills UK)
- Comment: As one of the younger finalists, Grace’s performance underscores the depth of lab and analytical skills being developed at Middlesbrough College. (WorldSkills UK)
Comments & Reaction
From Participants
- Zac’s reflection: He emphasised how the competition was a great learning opportunity and valued the chance to network with peers and industry professionals — an important part of vocational development. (FE News)
What This Means
- Real-world skills validation: Medalling at WorldSkills UK is national recognition of a young person’s practical abilities and problem-solving under pressure. It sends a strong signal to employers about readiness for high-skill careers in sectors like renewables, digital, and science. (WorldSkills UK)
- Career and training boost: For students like Zac, success can open doors to international competition, further apprenticeships, and advanced career opportunities. (FE News)
- Institutional pride: Results like these reflect the quality of hands-on training and mentorship available at Middlesbrough College, especially in technical and vocational programmes such as renewables, digital, and laboratory sciences. (Middlesbrough College)
Summary
| Student | Age | Skill Area | Result | Key Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zac Cessford | 18 | Renewable Energy | Gold | Eligible for Team GB consideration (WorldSkills Int’l 2028) (FE News) |
| George Hennessey | 18 | Digital Skills | Silver | National runner-up (FE News) |
| Grace Measor | 17 | Lab Technician | Finalist | Reached finals in science category (WorldSkills UK) |
These achievements showcase how vocational excellence and hands-on technical training can propel young learners to national standing, preparing them for meaningful careers and global competition. (FE News)