The UK team finished in 11th place, one place lower than last year, in the World Skills Competition in Seoul. Korea dominated the competition with 35 medals.

World Skills is an international vocational training organisation. Categories in the biennial competition include landscape gardening, IT, IT PC and network support, stonemasonry, hairdressing, plastering, graphic design, industrial wiring, cooking, car-painting, engineering CAD, floristry and refrigeration.

The 30-strong UK team failed to win any medals, but they did receive 16 of diplomas of excellence, which recognise the achievement of a world class standard, a record for the UK.

UK Skills, which organised the UK team, also manages the UK National Training Awards, the annual showcase for busineses and individuals who have excelled in skills development.