Robert Broomsgrove, 21, a stonemason from Highbridge, Somerset, won Silver at WorldSkills Leipzig 2-7 July.

Robert, who studied at Weymouth College and works for Wells Cathedral Stonemasons, competed as a member of Team UK against nine other young stonemasons from around the world, including Russia, Japan and Finland. He was awarded the Silver Medal after the intense four day competition.

He said after receiving his medal: "To win Silver in Stonemasonry is just amazing. It still hasn’t really sunk in. The last few months have been really tough – fitting my training for WorldSkills around work and family responsibilities – but it has been totally worth it. I want to show the UK how apprenticeships and vocational training can enable young people to gain a real qualification and a real future.” 

At WorldSkills this year, Team UK, made up of apprentices and employees aged between 18 and 25, won a total of six Medals and 17 Medallions for Excellence. Team UK put in a world class performance showcasing the skills of young people in this country.

Prime Minister David Cameron led the praise for the UK team. He said: "British ambition and ingenuity has once again taken on and beaten the best in the world and I extend my congratulations to Team UK. As we compete in the global race, this Government is on the side of ambitious young people who want to work hard and get on and we will continue in our efforts to build the biggest and best apprenticeship programme."

Business Secretary Vince Cable added: "Congratulations to Team UK. They have demonstrated that when it comes to skills, Britain has world-class ability. Vocational skills are important to the success of every business."

WorldSkills is the world’s largest international skills competition. The event is held in cities around the globe and the competition sees more than 1,000 young people compete in a range of skills to be named the ‘best in the world’ in their chosen skill.

The WorldSkills Competition enables competing countries to share best practice in apprenticeships and vocational teaching, raising standards on an international scale.

UK Government Skills Minister Matthew Hancock said: "Congratulations to Team UK on their fantastic achievements at WorldSkills. They have played a hugely important role in promoting the importance and value of vocational skills and practical learning to young people, their parents and employers.

"In Germany, the majority of teenagers either go to university or into an apprenticeship after they finish their exams. Through our reforms and investment in the apprenticeship programme we are working hard to make this a reality here [in the UK]."

Many of the Team UK members were invited to compete in the selection process for the team after excelling at the WorldSkills UK National Competitions, the finals of which were held at The Skills Show. The next Skills Show is taking place at the NEC Birmingham from 14 – 16 November. Click here for more information about the Show.