Harrison Moy, 20, an apprentice plasterer who works at H&R Property Development in Lewes, East Sussex, and who trains with British Gypsum has been selected to represent the UK in Plastering and Dry Wall Systems at EuroSkills Gothenburg 2016.
Taking place from 1 to 3 December, EuroSkills will see the most talented young people from over 30 European countries come together to compete in over 35 different skill areas ranging from engineering and construction through to creative and hospitality. The competitors all have one aim – to win a Gold medal in their chosen skill and prove they are the best in Europe.
Harrison Moy said: “When I found out that I had been selected to represent the UK at EuroSkills, I was thrilled. My training, both with British Gypsum and H&R Property Development, has opened so many doors for me and to be able to say I could be the best young plasterer in Europe has made me determined to give it my all. From now until December I will be spending every spare minute I have training for the competition.”
Harrison was selected for Team UK after he excelled in the National Finals of the WorldSkills UK Competitions, which are managed in partnership with CITB and held at The Skills Show.
Harrison will be trained for the competition by David Kehoe who works for British Gypsum. He will train at British Gypsum’s network of purpose built Technical Academies around the UK and will also be supported in his training by Robert Johnson who competed at WorldSkills Sâo Paulo 2015.
Mr Kehoe said: “At EuroSkills, Harrison will work on a project that will test his plaster boarding, metal framing, finishing, decorative and freestyle skills at Level 6 and above. Harrison won’t know the exact details of the project until he arrives in Gothenburg, so the competition will be a real test of his skills.”
WorldSkills UK is responsible for managing the UK’s entry into the EuroSkills Competition. By entering international competitions, WorldSkills UK can benchmark the employability skills of the UK’s apprentices and learners with those from around the world, ensuring more young people are being equipped with the right skills to help UK businesses better compete globally.”
The UK will enter a team of 23 young apprentices and learners into EuroSkills Gothenburg 2016 in skills ranging from Plastering and Dry Wall Systems to Mechatronics. The competitors who take part in EuroSkills this year will also go onto compete for a place in the team that will represent the UK at WorldSkills, the largest international skills competition, which takes place every two years. The next WorldSkills Competition will take place in Abu Dhabi from 14 to 19 October, 2017.