Jamie Matthews, aged 19, who is training with Mivan and is studying Level 3 Apprenticeship in Carpentry & Joinery at Northern Regional College will compete in Joinery as part of Team UK at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, this September.
Selected, mentored and trained by WorldSkills UK, Team UK brings together a group of competitors at the very top of their fields. These individuals are among the most highly skilled young professionals anywhere in the world.
Competing against the best from over 80 countries, Team UK will showcase world-class expertise across a diverse range of disciplines, including renewable energy, 3D games design, car painting, health and social care, chemical laboratory technician, bricklaying and joinery. Each competition is a high-performance test of precision, concentration and endurance.
WorldSkills is globally recognised as the ultimate benchmark of skills excellence, where nations go head-to-head to prove their ability to power future industries and economic growth. This year’s event in Shanghai is expected to attract more than 250,000 visitors, alongside government leaders, global employers and education experts.
Jamie’s journey to this stage has been years in the making. Following success in WorldSkills UK national competitions, he was previously selected to represent the UK at EuroSkills Herning 2025, Europe’s largest skills competition. His continued progress through intensive training and international competition has now secured him a place on Team UK for Shanghai.
In the final months before the competition, Jamie will undergo further high-performance preparation to ensure he is ready to compete at the very highest level on the global stage.
Pearson, the lifelong learning company, is the official partner of Team UK for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.
Jamie Matthews said, “I’m absolutely delighted to have been selected to represent the UK at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. It is a huge honour to be part of Team UK and to have the opportunity to compete against some of the best joiners in the world. I’ve worked really hard with the support of my mentors at Northern Regional College and Mivan, and I’m proud to have reached this stage. I’m looking forward to the challenge and giving it everything I’ve got in Shanghai.”
Ben Blackledge, Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK said, “Congratulations to Jamie on being selected for Team UK, it is a huge achievement and a proud moment for Antrim.
“At a time when employers are sceptical about employing young people, Team UK show just how important it is to have young professionals in the workforce. These young technicians have an incredibly valuable mix of world-class technical skills, impressive employability skills and a mindset to succeed. If we are serious about tackling the NEET challenge, we need to get more young people ready for work, and skills competitions are a proven way to improve engagement in training and work readiness.”
Freya Thomas Monk, Managing Director of Pearson Qualifications, said:
“Every member of Team UK has earned their place through exceptional dedication and commitment to their chosen fields, representing the very best of our nation’s talent. WorldSkills Shanghai is an opportunity to celebrate their vocational and technical expertise, and the skill, determination, and ambition it takes to set new benchmarks for excellence on the global stage. Pearson is proud to support Team UK as they take on this extraordinary challenge and inspire future generations to aim high and believe in their potential.”
Mel Higgins, Principal & Chief Executive of Northern Regional College and Trustee of WorldSkills UK, said, “We are incredibly proud of Jamie and this outstanding achievement. His selection for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 is a reflection of his dedication, talent and the exceptionally high standard he has consistently demonstrated throughout his training. Jamie’s success also highlights the strength of the support provided through Northern Regional College and the value of our partnership with Mivan. To represent the UK on the global stage in joinery is a tremendous honour, and we are confident Jamie will be an exceptional ambassador for the College, for Northern Ireland and for skills excellence.