A great example

Feb 13 2008 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette

A TEESSIDE apprentice has been praised for his outstanding skills by Gordon Brown and named as a great example to young people.

The Prime Minster held a Downing Street reception recently to praise local autobody repair apprentice Simon Noble, from Billingham, and other young team members who represented the UK at WorldSkills 2007, the largest and most prestigious skills competition in the world.

The event also looked ahead to 2011, when the UK will host the competition.

The UK team competed against 51 nations in skills including engineering, landscape gardening, graphic design, hairdressing and beauty therapy, achieving 11th place at the competition, held in Japan in November.

Simon was awarded a bronze medal for his work in the autobody repair event.

In total, the UK team achieved a gold, a silver and two bronze medals plus nine medallions of excellence.

The Prime Minister, who was joined by Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills John Denham and Minister for Skills David Lammy, met with all 22 team members.

Simon’s employers, Simon Bailes Peugeot, were also in attendance to support the team.

The Prime Minister said: “I was delighted to meet the participants from WorldSkills 2007.

“Ensuring the UK has a skilled workforce is fundamentally important to our future economic growth and recognising and developing talent is a vital part of that.

“What these young people have achieved with their commitment and determination to do well is outstanding, and it has placed them as superb role models.”

Skills Minister Mr Lammy said: “I congratulate the UK team and pay tribute to their achievement.

“I hope their success motivates employers and staff in every sector to follow suit by investing in their own skills development, enabling us to do even better when we host the 2011 competition.”