Former Bridgwater & Taunton College student Matthew Doe, aged 22, is one of only 32 young people to have been selected to represent the UK at this year's WorldSkills final in Abu Dhabi.

WorldSkills holds competitions around the world to showcase and inspire excellence in skills and introduce young people to a variety of skilled careers. The final will bring together young people from 77 member countries competing in 51 skill competitions.

Matthew has been employed at Rogers Restorations Ltd in Highbridge since completing his Electrical Engineering apprenticeship at college two years ago. He has been training in regional, national and European heats and has beaten off hundreds to take on the ultimate electrical installations challenge in October. The skills he will need to showcase at the final include both domestic and commercial electrical installation.

He said,

“I couldn’t have achieved any of this without the support of my tutor, employer and family. I’ve wanted to do electrical installation for a long time and I have been getting up early every morning to train in my skill.”

Matthew hopes to at least replicate the achievement of fellow former college student and work colleague Chris Young, who finished four points away from the gold medal in 2011. The final will take place from 14-19 October in Abu Dhabi.

You can find more information about Apprenticeships at Bridgwater & Taunton College here or by contact our Information and Guidance team on 01278 441234.