Gary Collier, a stonemason from Oldham in Manchester employed by Lloyd & Smith Ltd, has won a place in the UK team at the WorldSkills Competition in Finland in May.

Gary was chosen following a three-day \'play off\' event at Derby College in February when young people who had been successful in the national SkillBuild events competed for a place in the UK team for the two-yearly world skill \'Olympics\'.

Derby College opened its doors to members of the public, who were able to watch competitors demonstrate practical skills in trades ranging from construction to landscape gardening as they competed for their places in the team.

The WorldSkills competition will take place 26-29 May in Helsinki with more than 700 competitors from 39 countries taking part. Young people representing 39 trades will compete over the course of the four days for Olympic-style gold, silver and bronze medals that will be awarded at the conclusion of the event.

Gary was among 13 shortlisted competitors chosen for the UK team during the play-offs. Over the next three months, judges will observe some of the young people from a shortlist competing in a number of other smaller events and additional team members may be chosen during this period. The final team will be announced at the end of March.

Dr Graeme Hall, CEO of UK Skills, said: "The UK team was placed 15th at the last WorldSkills Competition two years ago. This year, we\'re determined to do even better and Derby College\'s support has been crucial in helping us select the very best competitors for Helsinki.

"I\'m particularly pleased that Derby College invited local schools to the event. It\'s vitally important that we rid vocational education of its image as the \'poor relation\' to academic qualifications. One of the first steps is demonstrating to schoolchildren the opportunity and fulfilment offered by choosing the vocational path."

Sponsors of the UK team are L\'OrÈal Professionnel, the Honda Institute, the Standards Unit (Department for ERducation & Science), Brathay Hall Trust, and City & Guilds.

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