British young engineers score in Leipzig Skills Olympics 10 July 2013

Semta has saluted Team UK at the 'Skills Olympics' in Leipzig, Germany, as they "carried a torch for British engineering and lit the way for our future generation of skilled engineers".

Coming home with two gold medals, one silver, three bronze and 17 Medallions of Excellence, the young engineers in Team UK came through the 'Leipzig litmus test' with flying colours, says Allan Cook, CBE, chairman of sector skills organisation Semta.

"For my money, the performance at WorldSkills in Leipzig was right up there with Andy Murray, The Lions and our Formula One guys," states Cook.

"This sends a very powerful message to the world that we can compete with the best... We send salutations and huge congratulations to all concerned."

Sarah Sillars OBE, CEO of Semta, adds: "This is a massive indicator as to how well we are doing as a vocational nation. We must not underestimate the importance of inspiring and skilling the next generation who will have the task of building a better and more prosperous nation."

And Business Secretary Vince Cable says: "Congratulations to Team UK. They have demonstrated that when it comes to skills Britain has world-class ability. Vocational skills are important to the success of every business. That's why, in these difficult times I have prioritised apprenticeship funding, so that employers can access the country's talent to help build a stronger economy."

RAF senior aircraftsman technician Ben Tullett, aged 22, from Fleet in Hampshire, struck bronze for aircraft maintenance. "I am really pleased. We have all worked very hard to get to the finals – and to go home with a medal is absolutely fantastic," he says.

More than 1,000 young apprentices, from 53 nations completed four days of intensive competition in 46 different disciplines at the competition. The results, announced at a spectacular closing ceremony, show that the UK has consolidated its position in the international skills league.

Brian Tinham

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