Last week we were very proud to host an international competition in cabinetmaking for WorldSkills UK. We welcomed participants from Chinese Taipei, France, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Our Wood School workshops are equipped with industry-standard machinery making them the perfect choice for a pressure test of this kind.
The WorldSkills Competition is the world’s biggest international skills competition, bringing together young people, industry, education and government leaders from around the world to advance Technical and Vocational Education and Training.
The next competition, the 48th, will be held in Shanghai from 22 to 27 September 2026. An estimated 1,400 Competitors from 73 countries and regions will compete in 64 skills ranging from CNC milling to 3D Digital Game Art. Each Competitor has earned their place through national and regional selection competitions.
Christian Notley, International Chief Expert for cabinetmaking, reached out and asked if we would host a week-long competition for Stanley Mackintosh, the UK competitor, to test himself against some of the best countries in the world. We were delighted to help out and curious to witness the event first-hand. We were particularly keen to support Stan, an apprentice at Bill Cleyndert and Company. He has been studying with Wood School partner Rycotewood for the past four years.
They were all given a 4m x 3m space, a bench and, after a short induction, access to our panel saw, bandsaw and spindle moulder. After some familiarisation and setting out their tools they were given a set of oversized components and a technical drawing for a piece of furniture they hadn’t seen before. What happened next blew us all away!
In just 22 hours they worked efficiently and safely to produce a cabinet on a stand. Two competitors finished completely and two were very close! They tapered, shaped, profiled components, jointed using hand and power tools, veneered, hinged and fitted drawers. It was remarkable to see them in action! Careful planning was essential and, although competing against one another, it was fantastic to see the camaraderie between the competitors and their supporting experts.
On the final day we gathered tenants and Sylva staff to witness the final moments, counting them down until they stepped away from their tools. It really was a pressure test, aiming to build resilience in them all. It was great to see that they were supported emotionally as well as technically
Finally, we were given an insight into the marking process, working to very fine tolerances and fundamentally ‘would it be acceptable professionally’. Each piece was assessed by a team that did not include their own expert.
We did not find out the winner as the marks were privately shared with each individual, but we enjoyed being part of the celebrations. To mark the moment we presented each cabinetmaker with The New Sylva book to commemorate their time here at the Wood Centre.
We wish them all the best for Shanghai and are keeping our fingers crossed that Stan returns with the gold medal!
