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These competitions are vital because they showcase the best of the young talent
and if my industry wants to be taken seriously, then they need to be entering
their young apprentices into these competitions
because once they get to European and WorldSkills level,
it's good for employers, it's also good for the young people,
it improves the skill set of the workforce
and it makes it an aspirational target for kids leaving school.
It's nerve racking, but it gives you like, a thrill,
showing off your skills to other countries and the world.
It's such an amazing feeling and it makes you feel so proud
and you feel like you've made a big achievement. I love it, it's amazing.
Last night was the opening ceremony, the spirits were high
and that's kind of where it really hit you, how big the competition was.
So many people from so many different countries you know,
I always thought there'd be a language barrier
but everyone's really welcoming, really happy.
Yeah really good - all the nations there making loads of noise.
It was a good way to start the competition I think.
It was amazing; we were all flying the flag. It was so good.
Who are you? SQUAD UK!
What are you gonna get? GOLD!
I think it's the fact that although they're doing the same sort of tasks as their training,
and as all their development and competitions in the UK,
it's that element that they're away from home, they're staying in a different environment.
I think the other thing is that when they get here they are representing the UK,
that makes a massive difference. I think it gets them really thinking
and it makes them a little bit nervous, so if they can experience that at EuroSkills
before they go into WorldSkills, then it's just invaluable.
I love competing. I really really enjoy what I do,
so to enjoy it makes it a lot better
and I cant wait until the closing ceremony to find out how I did.
I think the competition experience really helps them because
it gets them to know what its like basically to work under pressure
to have all the noise around, to have all the media coverage.
It teaches them to block it out of their mind and they've just got to concentrate
on what they're doing and not be bothered about what's going on around
so that is, it's very good for them.
We're all like intrinsically linked as trades,
so the kitchen wouldn't work without the plumber,
the electrician, the refrigeration; it ties together
and if we can enhance any trade, including cookery,
that it brings young chefs into kitchens, it gives longevity
and improves standards moving forward,
improves standard of education, improves standard of food and food service
and that happens with all the other trades as well
It's important I think to provide young people
with an opportunity to seek excellence in technical and vocational qualifications and skills,
so supporting the skills competitions whether it's WorldSkills,
or whether it's WorldSkills Europe, or in fact The Skills Show in the United Kingdom;
all those events help us demonstrate to young people,
to their parents and to their teachers
the levels you can rise to and aspire to in terms of technical skills
and offering that opportunity of aspiration and inspiring young people
is really why City & Guilds is behind skills competitions
and behind the whole movement that brings skills competitions to peoples' attention.
The bronze medal goes to Reece Johnston from the United Kingdom!
I was over the moon. I didn't think I'd be in the top 3. it was a big shock!
It's good, it's good - hard to stand up!
This just means - shows how far we've come in our training,
from Squad Selection to where we are now.
We're now the second best in Europe, it's amazing!
Don't give up. Keep training; keep going and you'll get there eventually.
It took me four years and now I've finally got not one medal, but two.
So just don't give up. Keep training and you'll get what you want in the end.
And the Gold Medal goes to: Philip Glasgow & Gareth Jones from the United Kingdom!
Go for it, go for it, just grab it with both hands because
it's a once in a lifetime opportunity and
it will probably stand by you for the rest of your life
as far as work and employment and everything goes.