Competition: Manufacturing Team Challenge
Skill: Engineering
WorldSkills UK selected George Denmam to be part of the WorldSkills UK team in the Manufacturing Team Challenge (MTC). The MTC team consists of three individuals, all of which are from Wales. They will be competing on home soil in North Wales, at Coleg Cambria from the 1st of November to 4th of November.
How do you feel about being chosen to represent Team UK at WorldSkills Special Edition 2022?
It's an amazing opportunity. To be able to represent myself, my team, and my country in this competition is something I will not take lightly. My team and I finally have the opportunity to compete on a global stage and show what the three years of work have accumulated to.
If you could sum up your feelings about going to WorldSkills Special Edition 2022 in 3 words, what would they be?
Controlled
Prepared
Hungry
What are you most looking forward to about the competition?
The opportunity to finally reach the peak. Three years of work have resulted in a preparedness I have never experienced. I cannot wait for the pay off and to see what result that gets us.
How did your skills competition journey begin?
My skills competition journey began through my work at GE Aviation and has continued since. I signed up not fully knowing what skills competitions truly were and then it snowballed to a full-time passion, hobby, and desire to improve myself to compete on an international stage.
Outside of the competitions, what are your hobbies?
I build computers, I like to run and watch football. I also like collecting records and I play a few instruments.
How do you plan to prepare for WorldSkills Special Edition 2022?
To me there is never a level of preparation. I want to make everything I do in competition robotic. If I remove every opportunity where human error can cause me problems I know I am able to achieve things which would be considered impossible. I want both my skill set, and mindset to be as honed as possible by November 1st.
Why do you think skills competitions are so important?
Skills competitions not only improve someone's practical and soft skills, they also develop your ambition and drive to really succeed. I think a lot of people fail to see their full potential in their career and overall life. Skills competitions are a brilliant medium for people to gain the confidence to begin improving themselves.
Would you recommend to others who have the opportunity to follow your journey to take it?
Absolutely. I think the experience I've gained as an engineer and as a young person has been invaluable to my professional and non-professional life. Take every opportunity that comes your way and add each one you complete to your toolbelt.
What support has the Inspiring Skills team provided you in your journey?
Inspiring Skills has offered me invaluable support throughout my journey as a competitor from budgetary help to motivational support. The extra training sessions as a Welsh competitor and the funding available to us is a major part of why I am part of the first all Welsh MTC team.
Who or what inspired you to enter the competitions?
My fellow competitor Mike Jones inspired me to enter the competition. We needed a team of three and I made the cut. To still be competing with him from national, to international level is truly an honour.
Can you explain a time you came up against a personal or professional challenge and had to overcome it?
When competing in the national finals in the NEC in 2019, my team's project did not function as intended. We had little funding, time, or resources and we were the first team that my company had put through the skills competitions. We came fourth and we were imaginably gutted. When myself and Mike got the call from Daytun to say that he needed people for Squad UK we were over the moon but we knew we had our work cut out for us to make it to the team. With a large chip on our shoulder we proved ourselves to be worth it and now we're competing on an international stage together.
What do you think is your biggest skill set? e.g. creativity, problem-solving, teamwork
I would say my fluidity in a team. I think I am rounded enough in my skill set that I can fit in wherever there's a need.
If you had to use three words to describe yourself, what would they be?
Reserved
Ambitious
Eager
After WorldSkills Special Edition 2022, what's next for you?
I want to complete my Masters in Aerospace Engineering and find the next challenge. I think I am the kind of person to need something else so I will definitely be on the lookout for the next opportunity that comes my way.
Any final thoughts you wish to share?
I would like to say a thank you to everyone in the Inspiring Skills team, and WorldSkills for all the support up until now. We're just under a month away until the competition and I would like to reassure you that myself and my team will give our everything in trying to put not only Team UK, but Wales on the board.