Stanley Mackintosh represents the UK in Cabinet Making at WorldSkills Shanghai

The 48th WorldSkills Competition opened in Shanghai on 22 September, and two of Team UK's competitors work in wood: Stanley Mackintosh in Cabinet Making and Jamie Matthews in Joinery. WorldSkills UK lists 28 competitors representing Team UK across 25 skill competitions. Competition runs from 23 to 26 September at the National Exhibition and Convention Center, and medals are awarded at the closing ceremony at the Shanghai World Expo Cultural Center on 27 September.

Stanley Mackintosh, Cabinet Making

Stanley trained at Rycotewood Furniture Centre, part of Activate Learning, and works for Bill Cleyndert and Company. According to Activate Learning, he began a Level 2 Furniture Manufacturer apprenticeship in 2024 and has been studying a Level 3 apprenticeship in Bespoke Furniture Making at Rycotewood. His WorldSkills UK profile records that he has since qualified with a distinction. His training manager for the competition is Christian Notley MBE of WorldSkills UK.

Jamie Matthews, Joinery

Jamie Matthews, from Ballyclare in Northern Ireland, trained at Northern Regional College and works for Mivan. When his selection was announced in April he told The Irish News: “I'm really proud to have been selected to represent the UK at WorldSkills in Shanghai.”

How cabinet making is judged

WorldSkills describes Cabinetmaking as working in wood to create high quality furniture and units, showing skill and an aesthetic understanding of design and finish. Its occupational standard for the previous competition, Lyon 2024, weighted the marks like this, with up to five percent variation allowed:

• Selecting and preparing materials: 25%
• Joining and assembly: 25%
• Working with drawings: 15%
• Preparation of surfaces and finishing: 15%
• Work organization and management: 10%
• Communication and interpersonal skills: 5%
• Problem solving, innovation and creativity: 5%

We will report the result after the closing ceremony.