Paul Tierney

Skill:

Joinery

Home Town:

Oxford

Employer:

Qualifications:

Basic and Advanced Craft
Full Technical Certificate
Cert Ed

Other training:

Assessor and IV Awards

Memberships :

Just for Learning

Are you City & Guilds qualified?:

Yes

What involvement have you had with competitions?:

WorldSkills 2011 will be my 4th competition.

Who would you like to thank for their support?:

The lecturers and employers who give so much support and encouragement to competitors.

What made you take on this role?:

I was approached by representatives from UK Skills because of my involvement with SkillBuild competitions.

Why do you think WorldSkills is important?:

To show the wider community that there is a future and high skill in vocational training and jobs.

What do you enjoy most about your role?:

Working with and seeing young joiners improve their level of skill to a world class standard.

How has this year differed to WorldSkills Calgary 2009?:

Training and preparation of competitors has improved each WS cycle by being better organised, focussed and funded.

How are you using this experience in your workplace?:

By trying to get students to take responsibility and ownership of the activities they have to complete to become craftspeople in the future.

What do you think being part of this process does for young people?:

It gives them a sense of self-worth and respect for the trade they practice.

What sets a WS competitor apart from your average young person?:

The willingness to perform to their full potential and the drive to become the best in their trade.

What would be your message to industry about entering future competitions?:

Encourage young people to enter competitions which will in turn inspire others to choose a vocational trade.

What impact will WorldSkills London 2011 have on your industry?:

It will put vocational training and jobs in the public eye and highlight to parents and schools the importance of jobs in the construction industry.

Part of the National Apprenticeship Service