Richard Sagar to represent UK in world electrical skills competition

Richard Sagar of Eden Electrics will represent the UK in the electrical installation competition at the WorldSkills event in Calgary, Canada from 1-6 September.

At WorldSkills over 200,000 spectators are expected to watch a total of over 900 competitors from 51 countries competing in skills ranging from electrical and plumbing installation, bricklaying to landscape gardening, cooking and floristry.

Self-employed Christopher Lonsdale, 22, of Bishop, Auckland will represent the UK in the plumbing and heating competition.

Simon Bartley, chief executive of UK Skills, who manages Team UK said “We are very pleased to welcome each and every member of Team UK. The quality and dedication all our competitors demonstrated during the selection process was of the highest level, but the exceptional work that these 26 individuals carried out proved to judges that they had what it takes to be part of Team UK and represent their country.

“Being selected for the team however does not mean it’s time to relax. From now until September the team will need to train hard to make sure that they are up to the world class standard they need to be at, to be able to compete against the best young skilled people in the world. We wish them luck in their final months of training.”

Skills minister Kevin Brennan said: “This team of talented young people are determined to make a difference in their careers and will represent the UK in showing the rest of the world just how talented our country is.

“In these tougher times it’s more important than ever that we continue to support and invest in the skills of our workforce, helping individuals get into and stay on at work as well as helping businesses stay competitive and prepare for the upturn.”