AN engineer from Westerleigh has been chosen to represent the UK at a global competition in Brazil.

Twenty-one-year-old Mike Watson will travel the 5,500 miles to Sao Paulo later this month to compete in the WorldSkills contest.

Mike, who completed an apprenticeship at GKN Aerospace in Filton last year and now works full time for the company, will join 1,000 other 18 to 25-year-old skilled labourers from 50 countries to compete for medals in more than 50 different skills including electrical installation, welding, web design, cooking and bricklaying.

He was chosen to represent Team UK in computer numerically controlled milling after excelling in the WorldSkills UK National Skills competitions, the finals of which took place at The Skills Show in November following a high pressure UK team selection event last June.

Mike said: “Being selected for WorldSkills São Paulo 2015 is an incredible honour and is something I’ve been working towards personally for over two years. 

“I have spent every spare minute training for the competition and I am determined to give it my all.”

Mike has been offered words of encouragement from his local MP, Thornbury and Yate representative Luke Hall.

“Mike is an inspiration to future generations of the UK’s workforce,” said Mr Hall.
“His achievements prove that apprenticeships can lead to great opportunities and successful careers for individuals and businesses. 

“The members of Team UK are ambassadors for our nation and I wish each and every one of them the best of luck at WorldSkills São Paulo 2015.”

The contest takes places between August 11 and 16 and is the largest international skills competition, held every two years in countries across the globe.