Talented learners from across Wales have celebrated outstanding success at this year’s Skills Competition Wales awards, with hundreds recognised for their technical excellence, commitment and future‑focused skills.
Held at Rhyl Pavilion, the ceremony awarded 287 competitors with 97 gold, 94 silver and 95 bronze medals, following months of regional competitions held across the country.
This year’s programme continued to evolve to reflect the changing needs of the Welsh economy, with 65 competitions delivered – six more than last year – including new categories aligned to sustainability, enterprise and inclusive skills development.
Participation also continued to grow across Wales, with 1,168 learners taking part overall. This included 223 learners competing in inclusive competitions (an 11.5% increase on the previous year), alongside a 7% rise in mainstream competitors.
Paul Evans, Project Director at Inspiring Skills Excellence in Wales, said:
“The standard on show at this year’s Skills Competition Wales awards reflects how well learners across Wales are performing across a wide range of sectors and skill levels. From first‑time competitors to those progressing on national and international pathways, the depth of talent continues to grow year on year.
“We’ve continued to invest in expanding and evolving the competition programme, introducing new categories and inclusive formats so more learners can showcase their skills. This approach ensures Team Wales is represented across the board, giving learners of all abilities the opportunity to challenge themselves and demonstrate what they can achieve.”
Skills Competition Wales continues to raise the bar on accessibility and inclusion, with competition design increasingly supporting learners with a wide range of needs.
Last year’s WorldSkills UK competitions – widely recognised as the progression route from Skills Competition Wales – highlighted the importance of inclusive competition design. One in four competitors identified as having an Additional Learning Need (ALN), with 117 learners competing successfully in mainstream competitions, demonstrating how inclusive approaches help unlock Wales’ full talent pool.
Delivered by the Inspiring Skills Excellence in Wales project and funded by the Welsh Government, Skills Competition Wales supports learners to progress to national and international platforms, including WorldSkills UK, EuroSkills and WorldSkills International.
Jack Sargeant, Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership, said:
“Skills competitions showcase the depth and breadth of talent emerging from learners across Wales, while highlighting the strength of our skills system and how closely it is aligned with employer and industry demand.
“By developing high‑level technical skills alongside teamwork, confidence and problem‑solving, these competitions help learners turn training into real workplace capability and support a strong pipeline of talent for businesses across Wales.
“I congratulate all competitors on their achievements and thank the colleges, training providers, employers and the wider learning network whose commitment continues to make this success possible.”
Applications for WorldSkills UK 2026 close on 27th March 2026, with Welsh learners also in contention to represent the UK at the 48th International WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai this September.
For more information on skills competitions in Wales, visit here.
