Ten SRC Students Selected for Team UK Training

Ten current and recent students from Southern Regional College have been handpicked to be part of WorldSkills UK squad, joining WorldSkills UK’s 18-month intensive training programme aiming to be selected for the final squad representing the UK at WorldSkills Shanghai, to be held from 22-27 September 2026.

Caolan McCartan and Jason McVerry from Newry and John Doherty who works at Norbrook are just three of the ten.

Southern Regional College (SRC) has produced the highest number of competitors in training among colleges across the UK for this prestigious competition.   The students and apprentices were selected after excelling in the WorldSkills UK National Finals.

Joining the squad are:  

These talented students represent a cross-section of the College’s diverse offerings, with participants from levels ranging from level 3 apprenticeships to degree students. Their selection highlights the depth of skills fostered at the College.  

It is the first time China has hosted the prestigious WorldSkills competition.   The event will see 1,500 young people travel to Shanghai from over 80 counties to compete in technical skill disciplines from engineering, manufacturing and technology through to creative, digital and hospitality in front of an audience of 250,000.  

The WorldSkills competition is considered by global experts as the ultimate test of a nation’s ability to meet future skills needs.   It is attended by government representatives, educationalists and leading employers from across the globe.  

WorldSkills UK uses its participation in the international WorldSkills competition to promote skills excellence across the UK, and by working with education, industry and UK governments it is embedding world class training standards throughout the skills sector.   This is helping to meet the demand for a highly skilled workforce in crucial sectors including engineering, digital, manufacturing and construction.    

The UK will be competing in over 30 skills at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, including 3D Digital Game Art, Robot Systems Integration and Renewable Energy.

Lee Campbell, Principal & CEO of Southern Regional College commented: “We are incredibly proud to see ten of our students selected to train with the Team UK squad for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.   Each student has put in an arduous amount of work and demonstrated exceptional dedication and skill to have excelled in their respective category at a national level.   To be selected to be in the running for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 is a phenomenal achievement but also a unique opportunity to take their talents to a global stage.”  

“At the College, we are committed to providing students with opportunities for continuous skills development, and I encourage all those selected to embrace this life-changing journey.”

Ben Blackledge, Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK said: “Congratulations to all on being selected for our training programme for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. Together with the other members on our programme, SRC students will be developing the right skills to fuel business growth across our economy.  With WorldSkills being hosted in Shanghai next year, it provides a fantastic platform for us to work closely with China, where we know skills excellence is a priority, to collaborate, innovate and learn from the very best in the world.”  

Freya Thomas Monk, Managing Director of Pearson Qualifications added: “Pearson is proud to sponsor Team UK!   Boosting the profile and prestige of technical and vocational education is incredibly important to us and I wish this talented group of 86 young people from across the country the best of luck as they begin their training programme towards competing in Shanghai."

Pearson is the official partner of Team UK for WorldSkills Shanghai, following a successful partnership at WorldSkills Lyon in 2024.