Pictured above: William Davis apprentice bricklayer Luke
Welstead has been selected on to Squad UK for WorldSkills 2011 and
was invited to a luncheon at the House of Commons to celebrate this
announcement
Luke Welstead, a 19 year old apprentice bricklayer with
Loughborough-based contractor and developer, William Davis Ltd, has
won a place on the UK Squad for WorldSkills 2011 and was invited to
the House of Commons for a celebration luncheon.
Jointly hosted by UK Skills and the National Skills Forum, the
luncheon was attended by all Squad UK members, who are aged between
18-24, together with their mentors, employers, lecturers and
families. Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning Minister
John Hayes MP was one of the guest speakers and he highlighted the
importance of these competitions, which empower young people and
broaden their minds to the opportunities of learning a trade.
"Vocational qualifications are essential to the Government's
commitment to securing a highly skilled and capable workforce which
is internationally competitive." Said Mr Hayes. "The young people
competing in Squad UK are living proof of the standards of
excellence found in our vocational learning programmes and are fine
examples of the talented, dedicated and committed apprentices we
have in this country.
"This is why the Government has committed itself to further
workplace training with apprentices at its heart, and I wish every
competitor the best of luck in the lead up to WorldSkills London
2011," concluded John.
Luke, who won Gold at the recent UK National finals, is one of
three bricklaying squad members and will spend the next nine months
in WorldSkills training camps around the country preparing to take
on the best from 50 nations when the competition gets underway in
London from 5th-9th October 2011.
Speaking after the luncheon, Luke said: "I am really enjoying
the WorldSkills competition as it is helping me to improve my
practical skills and gain confidence in my understanding of my
trade. Being involved in an international competition is a real
honour and I am looking forward to continuing my training and
hopefully being selected for the final UK team when it is announced
in June next year."
Brian Bradford, training and personnel manager, William Davis
added: "Luke is an outstanding individual who thoroughly deserves
his place in Squad UK. He is rapidly becoming a highly skilled
craftsman and is a real asset to the company. We all wish him the
best of luck with his training over the coming months."
Luke is currently working on Phase 4 at the company's flagship
private housing development, Grange Park in Loughborough. Phase 4
will add a further 102 homes to the development, ranging from two
bedroom coach house designs through to five bedroom detached family
homes.