Toyota apprentices hoping to represent UK in skills competition

Two apprentices at Toyota Manufacturing UK are training to represent the UK at the finals of an international skills competition.

Emily Bettridge, 23, and Liz Hopkinson, 22, are aiming to compete at the 48th WorldSkills competition in Shanghai in 2026, following their gold medal success at the national finals.

The pair are both multi-skilled mechatronics maintenance technician apprentices undertaking their apprenticeships with Burton and South Derbyshire College at the Toyota’s Burnaston factory.

They impressed judges at the UK finals last November with their technical precision and teamwork, earning top honours in the mechatronics category.

Members of ‘Squad UK’ train under the guidance of highly skilled trainers, industry experts, former medal winners and performance coaches.

The top performers will be selected next spring to become official members of Team UK at the Shanghai finals where they will be expected to perform previously unseen tests to a professional standard within a fixed time limit.

WorldSkills is recognised globally as the ultimate benchmark for vocational excellence, bringing together over 1,500 young people from more than 80 countries to compete in technical disciplines ranging from engineering and digital to hospitality and creative arts.

The UK will compete in over 30 skills at the 48th WorldSkills finals, including 3D Digital Game Art, Robot Systems Integration and Renewable Energy.

Liz, who joined TMUK at the same time as Emily in September 2022, said: “We started training for WorldSkills about a year ago, got through the national qualifiers, and then went on to win gold at the finals.

“The training is really high intensity – there’s a lot of time pressure and problem-solving – but it’s helped me grow so much.”

Emily, who also won Apprentice of the Year in BSDC’s FE & Apprenticeship Awards, said: “Competing in WorldSkills has pushed me to my limits, but it’s been one of the most rewarding experiences.

“The intensity of the competition environment really develops your skills – from programming to working under pressure – and you bring all of that back to your job.”