Apprentices bidding to make UK team in WorldSkills final

SKILLS Petty Officer James Callaghan provides some technical guidance to Phillip Broodbank, during the mechanical training workshops at HMS Sultan Picture: L(Phot) Dave Jenkins

Some of the UK's top young apprentices visited HMS Sultan recently to stake their claim for a place on the team at a global competition.

The apprentices from across the engineering industry spent several days developing their technical and personal skills, through working on aircraft maintenance projects.

Aged between 18 and 25, the apprentices had already showcased their talent at The Skills Show in Birmingham last year and were all bidding for the chance to represent the UK in the WorldSkills finals in Abu Dhabi 2017.

Airbus Systems Fitter Phillip Broodbank, 22, was among the apprentices taking part.

He said: ‘I have actually done a dual apprenticeship so it was mechanical in the first year and electrical and system-based in the second and third, so I was really pleased to get selected.

‘It’s great to be involved as the training is second to none and it’s very exciting.

‘We’re currently going through some ‘back to basics’ training across three different tasks, with only three out of the five of us from the group potentially going through to be selected for the next stage of training.

‘Fingers crossed I will get through as I will be guaranteed an extra 30 days of training with the WorldSkills Training Manager. Abu Dhabi next year is the ultimate goal.’

RAF Senior Aircraftman Shayne Hadland won a silver medal in the 2015 WorldSkills finals and is now part of the team of mentors passing on their valuable knowledge and experience.

He said: ‘We’re assessing the squad at  the moment to see where their skills lie, with the goal of selection for Abu Dhabi in 2017.

‘I think the biggest thing that I can pass through to the apprentices is the importance of time management, making sure that if something goes wrong that it gets rectified and that everything else stays on track.

‘I think the guys in the squad have a good chance of going on and winning a medal.’