Apprentices from Highlands College Jersey and The Guernsey Institute will travel to Isle of Man to participate in the 2026 Pan-island Skills competition.
The competition is taking place on Friday 13 February, hosted by University College Isle of Man. The event is a collaborative initiative which aims to showcase and celebrate the diverse talents of young individuals who are studying for qualifications in their chosen vocational field.
This year, apprentices will compete in six vocational areas: carpentry, electrical, plumbing, trowel trades, painting & decorating and for the first time this year, motor vehicle. A total of 10 apprentices from Guernsey and eight from Jersey will be taking part.
Apprentices will compete in a series of timed challenges that will test their skills in their chosen profession. The competitors will have the opportunity to demonstrate their expertise and problem-solving abilities under the scrutiny of industry professionals who will make up the judging panel.
The event will culminate in an awards ceremony, where the top two apprentices in each category will be recognised for their achievements. The occasion promises to showcase the dedication and talent of the young individuals involved in vocational education across the three islands.
Chris Torode, Director of Apprenticeships at TGI, College Further Education, said: “This is a valuable collaborative initiative between the Islands, and the perfect opportunity for our apprentices to showcase their abilities and learn from their peers, as part of National Apprenticeship Week. As a college we are focused on ensuring that our apprenticeship programmes develop the required professional skills for our employers, and this type of event demonstrates our commitment to giving students and apprentices the broadest range of experience possible during their programme of study. We are thankful to our employers for supporting this initiative and look forward to the trip and a challenging and fun competition.”
Nick Rudkin, Director of Construction and Engineering at Highlands College added: “The Pan-island Skills Competition was launched in Jersey in 2024 as part of National Apprenticeship Week and was created to address a challenge we all share as island communities – the limited opportunity for apprentices to test themselves against their peers. By rotating annually between Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man, the competition provides a rare and invaluable platform for apprentices to compete beyond their home jurisdiction, build confidence, and develop professional networks that will support them throughout their careers.
“It’s a chance for all participants to raise their standards and show our apprentices that their skills stand up on a wider stage. We would like to thank the local employers who have supported Highlands College’s participation in the competition and made it possible for our apprentices to travel to the Isle of Man to compete.”
Sam Warren, Head of Faculty at UCM, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome learners from Jersey and Guernsey to the island to compete against our top apprentices. Not only is this event great for our students and enables employers to see future talent levels, but it’s also a fantastic opportunity for the public to see what UCM is about.”
