David Grant from Television\'s Fame Academy was at SkillCity in London\'s ExCeL exhibition centre in July to welcome the British team that took part in the two-yearly WorldSkills competition in Helsinki in May.

Among those at the event was stonemason Gary Collier from Oldham, who was part of the team of 18 young men and women who represented the UK. Gary works for stone specialists Lloyd & Smith in Oldham and won a silver medal at the competition.

SkillCity was the UK\'s largest-ever skills festival for young people interested in skills-based careers with visitors able to take part in hands-on activities dedicated to the skills that the UK economy needs.

The UK\'s WorldSkills Team was there as an inspiration to visitors. It was placed 12th on average team score in Helsinki, scooping one Gold, two Silver medals and seven Medallions of Excellence. The team competed against nearly 700 entrants from 40 countries.

For the first time, the UK team\'s average score exceeded the 500-point World Class benchmark standard and the UK beat WorldSkills giants Japan, France, the USA and the host country Finland.

Other medal winners were Andrew Blair, who got Gold in Autobody Repair, and Beauty therapist Joanna Thompson, who won a Silver.

Skills Minister Phil Hope, who supported the team in Helsinki, commented in London: "At the WorldSkills event in Helsinki I saw for myself the hard work, commitment and preparation the UK team had to put in to achieve their impressive overall standard - above the world class benchmark set for the competition.

"WorldSkills is about excellence, helping companies measure the effectiveness of their training and succeeding in competition in the global economy. Improving skills matters.

"The competition supports our skills strategy to close skills gaps by giving employers a strong voice in training provision and helping individuals acquire the skills they need."WorldSkills is unique in giving us a real measure of excellence in vocational skills. It helps us judge the effectiveness of our training programmes internationally and show that the skills of our young people match the best in the world."

Chris Humphries, chairman of UK Skills and director general of City & Guilds, was on hand at SkillCity London to offer his congratulations. "In a country where we have a serious skills deficiency we need to celebrate and promote vocational skills as much as we can.

"These young men and women are exemplars in their field and prove just how much talent exists out there. "An understanding that the vocational route is as valid as the academic is long overdue and I hope that hearing about these young people will convince more people that the vocational option is simply not second best."

Fame Academy star David Grant added his tribute. "I have followed the UK team throughout this competition. They are an extremely skilled group of young people who have trained exceptionally hard and have returned triumphant. They should be truly proud of their achievements. I wish them the best of luck with their future careers."

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