Training Manager for Simon Noble

"I think the most important aspect of being a training manager is recognising the strengths and weaknesses in a competitor and providing adequate training to achieve WorldSkills standards."

In November 2006 Karl was awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list. The honour was given for Karl's long-term involvement with the training and mentoring of young people and for his involvement in WorldSkills competitions highlights as a training manager was seeing his 2005 competitor, Andrew Blair, win the gold medal at WorldSkills 2005.

Karl has been the Autobody Repair Training Manager since 1997. During this time Karl has honed his abilities in training WorldSkills competitors.

Training Manager for Daniel Glover

"WorldSkills provides valuable experience to me as a lecturer and manager. The wide diversity of people and cultures encountered at WorldSkills in both competitors and fellow training managers has helped me to develop valuable interpersonal skills. What is so rewarding is that I can transfer these very useful skills into my employment."

Paul works as a Curriculum Manager at Peterborough Regional College. His role involves providing day-to-day management of the college's engineering Craft and ICT curriculum teams that are made up of engineering, fabrication and welding, motor vehicle and the ICT faculties.

Paul is highly experienced in skills competitions at a world-class level, having trained UK Automobile Technology competitors in the previous three WorldSkills competitions. In Japan 2007 Paul will be acting as the Chief Expert for Trade 33. To maximise his satisfaction in being a training manager Paul has utilised the new skills he has learnt as part of his WorldSkills experience.

Training Manager for Jade Kidd

"It is very important to improve the profile of all vocational skills nationally and internationally. Competitions like WorldSkills enable competitors to showcase their skills, improve problemsolving and gain independent learning strategies."

Sue works as a Curriculum Manager for Beauty, Sports and Holistic Therapy at Blackpool and the Fylde College. Her role involves training learners, and departmental management.

Sue has organised regional and UK competitions for over four years and is highly active within the national competition framework of beauty therapy and similar events. She strongly supports the value competitions like WorldSkills give to learners.

Training Manager for Jonathan Bourne

"To provide Jonathan with the levels of support required to develop and achieve his maximum potential is crucial. Further to this, as a training manager I can use my experience and expertise to contribute towards the further development of our UK competitions and quality standards."

Michael works as a Programme Leader for York College. He coordinates and manages the delivery of learning programmes in bricklaying, as well as teaching, training and assessing work-based learners across Level 2 and 3 qualifications.

WorldSkills 2007 will be Michael's first international competition as a training manager. He is expecting to develop his coaching techniques, which will assist him to further develop his competitors:

"I am eager to gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the standard of excellence required at an international level."

Michael believes that the provision of support to the competitor is key to their success.

Training Manager for Gary Tuddenham

"I believe WorldSkills gives competitors a wonderful experience of life, together with the acquisition of top quality skills to move forward with their careers."

Now retired, Peter worked as a senior lecturer at Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College for 31 years. Before becoming a lecturer Peter worked within the private sector.

For over 20 years Peter has been organising and running SkillBUILD cabinet making competitions throughout the UK. A training manager and a certified WorldSkills international judge since 1985, Peter's commitment and belief in WorldSkills has seen him be involved in 12 WorldSkills competitions.

Training Manager for Michael Westlake

"WorldSkills is the perfect opportunity for our competitors to go beyond their boundaries of expectations and showcase their work on a UK and world stage. As a training manager I will need to be available to Michael at all times and maintain good lines of communication. I will be tailoring the training plans around Michael's specific needs to ensure that he has the resources he requires, and will act as his - and the other competitors' - mentor and motivator."

Matt is the Engineering Programme Manager for Bridgwater College and runs the BTEC National Diploma in Engineering Technology. He is a personal tutor to all of the enrolled students and also provides teaching activities for students studying engineering design and computer aided design courses from Levels 2 to 4.

Also the organiser of CADD skills competitions, Matthew believes that WorldSkills provides young people with priceless experience.

Training Manager for Jonathan Lloyd

"I think it will be important to create an empathy with Jonathan in order to maximise our training time together so that he can fulfil his true potential at WorldSkills. A key part of my role as training manager will be to provide Jonathan with a clear plan of action and allow him the freedom for his personal input into his training and development."

Bill is a self employed trainer; his role involves competition management, health and safety training, and consultancy. Bill has a strong connection with UK Skills and has provided his expertise to improve skills competitions within the automobile industry.

He believes that WorldSkills provides competitors with an insight into success in industry, teaching them skills such as aiming to get things right the first time, management of available time and having to work to a high standard under pressure.

Bill is looking forward to the prospect of working with Jonathan in the lead up to WorldSkills 2007.

Training Manager for Philip Jackson

"WorldSkills gives the competitors an insight into how their skills compare to those from other nations. I will be able to get a good understanding of global skills and standards, and will also be able to share my own knowledge with others."

Richard trains people in Computer Aided Manufacture (CAD, CNC, CAM). He has taught engineering since 1977 and is passionate about sharing what he has learnt over his years in the industry. Richard has been a City & Guilds External Verifier within the engineering sector for 30 years.

Richard believes the most important part of his role as training manager is to support his competitor and give him valuable knowledge to succeed. This will also be a new and exciting learning experience for Richard as he will get to assess the standards of others across the world.

Training Manager for Will Torrent

"I hope to guide and support Will to achieve his maximum performance at WorldSkills. Furthermore I would like to feed back to the UK training sector on world-class skills and techniques, and use this knowledge in future courses and competitions."

Yolande works as a Senior Lecturer in Patisserie for Thames Valley University. She teaches Advanced Patisserie to degree level students.

As the confectionery training manager for the last two WorldSkills competitions (2005 in Helsinki and 2003 in St Gallen), Yolande considers the role to be rewarding in terms of ensuring competitor development, building links with industry and gaining international experience.

Training Manager for Graham Squire

"Over four days of competition, more than 800 young people will test themselves against tough international standards in 47 vocational skills. The ultimate prizes will be gold, silver and bronze medals."

Peter is employed by Elior UK as an Executive Chef. He is responsible for creating innovative food concepts for over 1000 establishments in the UK and Ireland.

Peter has been training competitors since 2003 and has also been a competitor in UK competitions himself:

"I manage the Elior culinary team who have a good record of competing in culinary competitions throughout the UK. My personal experience of skills competitions was when I was a member of the Scottish culinary team, so I will be utilising my understanding of what is required of both a training manager and a competitor at the WorldSkills Competition."

Peter is confident that, through his experience of WorldSkills, Graham will continue to improve his skills and develop new ones.

Training Manager for Natalie Stanyer

"I'm looking forward to creating a unique relationship with Natalie and taking her on a journey to WorldSkills that she will always remember. I want Natalie to feel proud of her achievements."

Stephanie works as Head of Floristry at Plumpton College. Her role includes managing her team of floristry tutors, teaching full-time courses and the creation of new courses.

Although the UK did not enter a floristry competitor at WorldSkills 2005, Stephanie attended the event to analyse the standard of other countries and to plan the training programme for future UK competitors.

Stephanie relishes the opportunity to train and inspire Natalie in preparation for WorldSkills and to maintain her confidence when faced with obstacles.

Training Manager for Harry Smith

"I find it very fulfilling to instil confidence and prepare a competitor to compete in the WorldSkills Competition. The preparation, training and the pressure associated with WorldSkills will assist Harry's development as a graphic designer. I am especially pleased that Chichester College is sponsoring Harry for WorldSkills 2007."

Michelle has worked as an educator and lecturer since 1992 and is currently a freelance graphic designer. She believes the WorldSkills Competition provides a unique opportunity to benchmark skills in the UK against other countries:

"The WorldSkills Competition is important as it enables competitors to reach high standards, compete with the best in the world and recognise international standards."

Michelle has been a training manager since 2005 and considers it to be a rewarding experience.

Training Manager for Donna Leach

"I believe WorldSkills provides a setting that inspires young people to excel above the norm. The task of a training manager is to give them the tools that will help them expand their natural abilities in order to reach that world-class level."

Robert works as a Senior Curriculum Leader for hairdressing at Warwickshire College. His role involves the delivery, promotion and management of hairdressing courses. Robert is involved in the organisation and judging process of UK hairdressing competitions, and has played an integral role in increasing the profile and standard of WorldSkills UK competitions.

WorldSkills 2007 will be Robert's third time as a WorldSkills training manager, having previously trained competitors in 2005 (Helsinki) and 2003 (St Gallen).

A strong supporter of the ethos of WorldSkills, Robert, with the help of his hairdressing colleagues, is excited to share his expertise and experience in order for Donna to achieve her full potential.

Training Manager for Andrew Critchlow

"WorldSkills highlights the importance that employers place on recruiting a highly trained, skilled workforce in the face of international competition. I aim to improve upon my knowledge of the level of skills internationally and relay that information back to the UK."

Jen works as the Curriculum Area Manager for Northumberland College. Her role involves the delivery of ICT technician-based courses with an emphasis on operating systems and networking.

Jen has a vast array of experience within the IT industry spanning over 20 years, and has been involved in training UK competitors for WorldSkills since the 1999 competition in Montreal, Canada. Jen feels strongly that WorldSkills provides a good opportunity for employers and analysts to compare the UK's standard of skills to the rest of the world.

Training Manager for Gary Tuddenham

"WorldSkills provides the platform to celebrate the expertise of our young tradespeople. By working with Ben I hope to raise the profile of the UK's standard in trade skills. I will be calling on all my experience and expertise to help Ben achieve his full potential. The entire training programme and WorldSkills experience will be beneficial to me personally as I expect to develop my own training and teaching methods to pass on to future competitors and students."

Paul is a Wood Trades lecturer at Oxford and Cherwell Valley College. He teaches and trains students to achieve NVQ Levels 2 and 3, and ICA/ACA qualifications.

Paul has been the joinery training manager since 2005 and is a strong supporter of SkillBUILD, a competition promoting excellence amongst young craftspeople in the UK.

Through his work as a training manager, Paul is eager to promote the value and importance of young skilled people.

Training Manager for Keith Chapman

"The College Principal at Askham Bryan, is very supportive of skills competitions and WorldSkills; he has made my involvement in skills competitions possible."

Harry is a Landscape lecturer at Askham Bryan College, teaching students aged 16-65.

WorldSkills 2007 will be Harry's first experience as a training manager. He believes that skills competitions reward training managers as well as the competitors in terms of personal and professional development:

"I will be able to network with like-minded people, increase my overall knowledge and understanding of what makes peopleachieve success, and become a more efficient lecturer as a result."

Harry firmly believes that skills competitions raise standards, self-esteem and a sense of achievement among competitors, and also recognises the important role colleges play in supporting competitions.

Training Manager for Christopher Blake

"WorldSkills gives a good indication of how the UK's skill standards match up to the rest of the world. I am happy to support Chris's development as he prepares for Japan."

Mike works as a Course Leader for Painting and Decorating on the Introduction to Construction course at Angus College. His role involves teaching and training apprentices and young adults in painting and decorating and construction. Mike is also president of the Scottish Association of Painting Craft Teachers that organises and administers national decorating competitions and helps to steer and direct decorating teaching and learning in Scotland.

With an impressive training reputation at regional and UK competitions, Mike will be training at international level in Japan for the first time.

Mike believes that WorldSkills provides a benchmark for the UK's skilled young people.

Training Manager for Gary Tuddenham

"Since my days as an engineering lecturer I have always enjoyed working with people to help them better themselves and realise their true potential. Even in retirement, my passion and enthusiasm for teaching refrigeration, and for WorldSkills itself, has remained the same."

Mike is a retired lecturer but continues to work on a voluntary basis for the Institute of Refrigeration, the committee that runs national refrigeration competitions (SkillFRIDGE).

A training manager since 2003, Mike believes that WorldSkills helps improve competitors' skill levels from competent to excellent and provides the opportunity to compare skill levels with those in other countries.

Training Manager for Julie Doig

"Competitions focus young people on the importance of excellence. The hospitality industry is very competitive, so excellence and quality are what will drive business forward. Competitors gain experience in working with a team and also benefit through the training prior to the competition."

Ian works as a Director for CairnGorm Mountain Ltd (CML), a ski area and visitor attraction. Ian's duties involve managing a variety of areas including marketing, customer service, retail and hospitality.

Ian is no stranger to WorldSkills, having been a training manager since 2004 and a competitor himself in 1991 in Amsterdam.

A training enthusiast, Ian regularly takes a leading role in hospitality training sessions at CML. He decided to be a training manager in order to put something back into WorldSkills and the hospitality industry from which he has benefited.

Training Manager for George Plant

"I think skills competitions in general help to provide UK industries with highly trained and motivated craftspeople who become role models for younger learners with aspirations to progress. The pivotal part of my role as training manager is to enthuse and motivate competitors and show them that they can achieve success at an international level."

Kevin is the Stonemasonry Programme Leader at York College. His duties involve the planning, organising and delivery of stonemasonry qualifications.

Kevin is very active within the UK's stonemasonry competition framework run by SkillBUILD and is experienced in working with UK and international competitors. Kevin trained UK competitor Gary Collier, who won the silver medal at WorldSkills 2005 in Helsinki.

Training Manager for Stuart Greer

"Having worked within the welding industry for over 30 years, both within the UK and overseas, I would like to think I have strong experience and knowledge of the skill. I would like to share my welding expertise with the next generation of skilled young people."

Colin works as a Programme Manager for TWI Limited, the operating arm of The Welding Institute and one of the world's foremost independent research and technology organisations. His role includes the design, quality assessment and delivery of welder training.

WorldSkills 2007 will be Colin's second outing as training manager, his first being at WorldSkills 2005 where his competitor Gareth Rees was awarded a medallion of excellence.

Through his work as a training manager Colin is determined to play his part in helping to raise the standards of the UK's young tradespeople of today and tomorrow.