Cabinet Maker Jack Simpson selected in Team UK training squad for WorldSkills finals in China

Jack, who completed his Level 2 Furniture Manufacturer apprenticeship with College and his employers House of Elliott York last summer, will now participate in an 18-month intensive training programme with the aim of earning selection for the UK team to compete in Cabinet Making at the event that is known as the “Skills Olympics” and will be staged in Shanghai from September 22nd to 27th in 2026. 

A third-place finish for Jack during this year’s National SkillBuild competition in Milton Keynes caught the eyes of the selectors, who have chosen 86 candidates for the training programme. 

Jack previously studied a Level 1 Diploma in Carpentry and Joinery at the start of his three years on Campus at Sim Balk Lane.

China will be hosting the prestigious WorldSkills Competition for the first time with 1,500 young people from more than 80 countries set to compete in a variety of different skill disciplines ranging from engineering, manufacturing and technology through to creative, digital and hospitality. 

The six-day event is considered by global experts as the ultimate test of a nation’s ability to meet future skills needs and is expected to attract an estimated audience of 250,000, including government representatives, educationalists and leading employers from across the globe. 

WorldSkills UK uses its participation in the competition to promote skills excellence across the country and, by working with education, industry and governments, it is embedding world class training standards throughout the skills sector. 

This is helping to meet the demand for a highly skilled workforce in many crucial sectors.   

The UK team will be competing in more than 30 of the skill categories in Shanghai, including ones as diverse as 3D Digital Game Art, Robot Systems Integration and Renewable Energy. 

Ben Blackledge, Chief Executive of WorldSkills UK, said: “Congratulations to Jack on being selected for our training programme for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. Together with the other members on our programme, Jack will be developing the right skills to fuel business growth across our economy.  

“With WorldSkills being hosted in Shanghai next year, it provides a fantastic platform for us to work closely with China, where we know skills excellence is a priority, and to collaborate, innovate and learn from the very best in the world.”  

Freya Thomas Monk, Managing Director of Pearson Qualifications, added: “Pearson is proud to sponsor Team UK. Boosting the profile and prestige of technical and vocational education is incredibly important to us and I wish this talented group of 86 young people from across the country the best of luck as they begin their training programme towards competing in Shanghai.”

For more details on York College & University Centre's Level 2 Furniture Manufacturer apprenticeship, please click here

All our current apprenticeship vacancies can be found here

Comprehensive information on all of our Construction courses and apprenticeships will be available, meanwhile, at our next Open Event on Tuesday, 1st April (5.30pm-7.30pm), where tutors will also be on hand to answer any questions. Register your place here