- The WorldSkills contest takes place in Lyon, France.
- Lindum apprentice, Dior, will be part of Team UK.
- Dior priviously represented the country at EuroSkills in the Polish city of Gdańsk.
Apprentice painter and decorator Dior Regan has been selected to represent the UK on the world stage in France later this year.
Dior, who works for Lindum Group and studies at Lincoln College, is one of 31 young people heading to the WorldSkills contest in Lyon in September.
All aged under 25, Team UK is made up the finest apprentices and students from across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Dior was selected after successfully demonstrating her painting and decorating skills at the European finals in Poland in September last year.
From the 10th to the 15th of September, 1,500 young people from 65 countries will strive for gold, silver, or bronze awards in their chosen in discipline, which includes cyber security, renewable energy, digital construction, cooking, hairdressing as well as construction skills such as painting and decorating, cabinet making and joinery.
Ben Blackledge, Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK said: “WorldSkills Lyon 2024 – think Olympic Games – where the prize is the world-class skills that UK employers are crying out for.
“The UK’s participation in the ‘skills Olympics’ will provide vital insights to ensure we can develop our apprenticeship and training programmes, to make them truly world-class.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the exceptional young people in Team UK; they are fantastic role models. We will use their participation at WorldSkills to boost the prestige of technical and vocational education, inspiring many more young people to take up technical and vocational training across the UK to help drive investment, jobs and economic growth.”
Dior, who lives in Lincoln and went to Christ Hospital School, began her apprenticeship with Lindum in July 2021. She has since excelled in her craft, earning praise for her accuracy, painting, tidiness and preliminary marking out and measurements.
Lindum Co-Chairman Edward Chambers said her selection was testament to both Dior’s talent and determination and to her colleagues, who have supported her training and growth.
“We are really proud of Dior and are delighted to see her abilities being showcased on a world stage,” he said.
“Despite ongoing technical developments, construction relies on the skill and talent of the individuals who work in our industry and that’s why Lindum continues to prioritise and invest in our training and apprenticeship programmes.
“I would like to thank those who work alongside Dior too, because apprenticeships only work well if they have the support and commitment of more experienced members of the team.”
WorldSkills UK, a four nations partnership between education, industry and UK governments, is responsible for selecting, mentoring and training Team UK. Pearson, the world’s leading learning company is the official partner of Team UK for WorldSkills Lyon 2024.
Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education Luke Hall said: “Best of luck to our remarkably talented competitors at this summer’s skills Olympics. WorldSkills is an excellent opportunity to prove on the global stage that we have built a world class skills and apprenticeship system. I am hoping for a podium sweep from our apprentices and students in Lyon.”
