Ahead of National Apprenticeship Week (9th to 13th February), we're shining a spotlight on the fantastic achievement of 18-year-old Lucy Bennett, Level 3 Advanced Vehicle Damage Paint Technician apprentice at our Ruddington campus, who has showcased her outstanding talent on the national stage after competing in the prestigious WorldSkills UK finals.
Lucy was one of just 18 competitors to reach the regional heats, held at Eyebox in Coventry last year. Over three days, groups of six competitors were tasked with tackling a series of technically demanding challenges. Drawing on the full breadth of her apprenticeship training, Lucy demonstrated her skill across panel preparation and painting, paint fault rectification, colour matching, and plastic panel scratch repair.
Her impressive performance saw her place second in her group! An achievement that secured her spot in the next phase of the competition.
In preparation, Lucy took part in an elite Masterclass at ITAS (International Technical Automotive Systems) in Milton Keynes. This intensive training was an invaluable opportunity ahead of the finals, bringing competitors together to refine advanced techniques aligned with WorldSkills’ rigorous standards.
Lucy then travelled to Cardiff Vale College last November to compete against five of the UK’s top finalists. Over two intense days, she completed a demanding set of high-level tasks, and although Lucy did not place at the finals, her performance certainly made an impact. She has since been invited to join the WorldSkills UK International Competition Development Programme for the WorldSkills Aichi 2028 cycle - an honour reserved for promising competitors with the potential to reach international level.
Sian Glover, Head of Student Experience at Ruddington campus, said:
“This invitation is a significant achievement in itself and reflects Lucy’s technical capability, commitment to excellence, and readiness to develop towards international competition standards.
“Lucy’s journey is a fantastic example of what apprentices can achieve through hard work, expert support, and a willingness to push themselves beyond their comfort zone. We are incredibly proud of her achievements and look forward to supporting her continued development as she progresses on this exciting pathway.”
About WorldSkills UK
WorldSkills UK is an independent charity that works with employers, educators and government to raise standards in technical education and apprenticeships through international best practice and skills competitions. It helps young people develop high‑level technical and employability skills and selects top performers to represent the UK at international skills events.
