Jacqui Smith Delivers Inspiring Speech at Parliamentary Reception Celebrating WorldSkills UK

It is both a privilege and a delight to gather here today at Parliament, extending a warm welcome to colleagues, partners, employers, educators, family members, and most importantly, Team UK.

This occasion provides us with a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the remarkable achievements you have attained at WorldSkills Shanghai. In the lead-up to the welcoming ceremony in Shanghai, I had the chance to meet with the team, and while I sensed a few nerves about what lay ahead, what stood out most was your exceptional preparation and readiness.

Witnessing you all participate in that spectacular opening ceremony filled me with immense pride. I’m sure you noticed my enthusiastic applause as you made your entrance. It was an extraordinary opening ceremony, wasn’t it? Although I must admit I was somewhat taken aback by the sight of robots performing alongside ballerinas! Clearly, that is a glimpse into the future, and we are fortunate to have talents like Peter and Pratham to advance our skills in robotics.

Celebrating Team UK’s Achievements

You performed brilliantly as a team. Simply earning a position in Team UK is a commendable feat, reflecting years of hard work, dedication, and resilience. In Shanghai, you showcased the pinnacle of UK technical and vocational education, competing against some of the world’s most gifted young individuals and emerging victorious.

This year’s competition holds particular significance, as you, Team UK, achieved our best performance at WorldSkills in nearly a decade. This is a testament to your talent, determination, and professionalism, as well as the strength of the UK’s skills system.

Each competitor should take immense pride in their participation, irrespective of the medals or results achieved, because success at WorldSkills transcends awards; it embodies excellence, personal growth, and the honour of representing your nation on an international platform.

Acknowledging Support Networks

As has been mentioned by others, it is essential to acknowledge all those who played a part in making your success possible. This includes your training managers and technical experts, the colleges, training providers, and universities that have nurtured and supported you, and the employers who have invested in your development. I am sure that your families and friends provided unwavering support throughout the months and years you dedicated to achieving such remarkable excellence.

While medals are certainly noteworthy, WorldSkills encompasses much more than that. It allows us to measure ourselves against the world’s elite, adopt international best practices, and elevate standards across education, training, and industry throughout the UK. The skills exemplified by Team UK are crucial for our nation’s future, driving economic growth, fostering innovation and productivity, and cultivating the workforce that our industries will require going forward. By competing at this level, you are also inspiring future generations to pursue technical education, apprenticeships, and skilled careers.

Building International Collaborations

You may have heard our Prime Minister emphasising the importance of prioritising technical and vocational education; your achievements epitomise this commitment.

The experiences in Shanghai underscored the significance of international collaboration and learning. I am pleased to announce that we will continue this partnership with China following our recent visit. A UK-China Education Summit is scheduled for 24 and 25 November 2026 in Beijing, allowing for the continuation of the ministerial dialogue I initiated with my counterparts during my time in Beijing and Shanghai.

Engagement of this nature strengthens educational partnerships, shares expertise, and creates opportunities for future collaboration.

Reflecting on Your Impact

As we celebrate today, I encourage each member of Team UK to reflect on your achievements. You represented the United Kingdom with distinction, demonstrated excellence on the global stage, and contributed to securing Britain’s strongest WorldSkills result in nearly a decade.

On behalf of the government, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for all that you have accomplished and for being exemplary ambassadors for UK skills. Congratulations once again to Team UK; you truly deserve to enjoy today’s celebration. Thank you.