George Callow, an apprentice cabinet maker from Chichester College, has won gold for the UK at World Skills in Leipzig, Germany. George was also named ‘Best of Nation’ among 33 apprentices who were part of Team UK.
Cimitree, a Hampshire-based funiture manufacturer and members of The Furniture Makers’ Company, head-hunted George, who now works as a junior cabinet maker, after the company saw his work at his college’s end of year show.
Christian Notley, head of Furniture Studies at Chichester College, says: “George could not have achieved his gold medal without following an apprenticeship as the combination of training at Chichester College and working Cimitree provided him with the best possible training. Knowledge, skill and speed are all required to become the best in the world, good apprenticeships can offer this.”
Prime Minister David Cameron said: “British ambition and ingenuity has once again taken on and beaten the best in the world and I extend my congratulations to team UK. As we compete in the global race, this Government is on the side of ambitious young people who want to work hard and get on and we will continue in our efforts to build the biggest and best apprenticeship programme.”
Formerly known as the Skills Olympics, World Skills is a Binennial competition that showcases the trade skills of the young professionals from across the world. The 2013 installment saw around 1000 competitors from more than 50 countries across 46 categories including joinery, carpentry, and wall and floor tiling.
