In the face of growing digitisation, a spotlight is being cast on traditional skills and the importance of protecting the art of craftsmanship. Here Josh Hudson, Lead at Rycotewood Furniture Centre, speaks about the role of WorldSkills in preserving practical skills as he prepares to support Apprentice Stanley Mackintosh at the global competition.
There is something deeply exciting about WorldSkills. It is not simply a competition; it is a celebration of talent, dedication and the value of practical education on a huge scale.
As someone who has dedicated their career to cabinet making then to furniture education and apprenticeships, I am proud to see traditional skills continuing to receive the international recognition they deserve.
I’m especially excited about travelling to China and witnessing first hand WorldSkills on the global stage. The event brings together talented young people who have dedicated themselves to mastering their chosen skills.
I’m also incredibly proud that Stan Mackintosh will be representing Great Britain, Activate Learning and his employer, Bill Cleyndert & Company. This is a remarkable achievement and a tremendous source of pride for everyone who has supported him throughout his journey.
Traditional skills in a changing world
We live in a world increasingly shaped by mechanisation, automation and digital technology. These developments can improve efficiency and help us achieve things that would once have seemed impossible. However, they do not make traditional skills less important. In many ways, they make human skill, judgement and creativity even more valuable.
A machine can repeat a process with impressive accuracy, but skilled craftspeople bring something more.
They understand materials, respond to challenges and make decisions based on experience. They know when a piece of timber is behaving differently, how a joint should feel and when a design needs to be adapted.
Craftsmanship combines technical knowledge with patience, care and a deep respect for the materials being used.
Traditional furniture-making skills also connect us to our heritage. They preserve knowledge that has been developed and refined over generations. At the same time, these skills are not stuck in the past. Apprentices use them to create contemporary work, solve modern problems and contribute to a sustainable future through the creation of furniture built to last.
Why WorldSkills is important
WorldSkills helps to raise the profile of vocational and technical education. It shows that practical careers require intelligence, discipline, creativity and exceptional commitment. It challenges competitors to reach the highest standards while encouraging them to learn from colleagues and experts from around the world.
For young people, events such as WorldSkills can be genuinely inspiring. They demonstrate that an apprenticeship can lead to exciting opportunities, international experiences and professional excellence. For employers, they highlight the value of investing in people and developing the next generation of skilled practitioners. For colleges, they provide an opportunity to showcase the quality of teaching, training and support that apprentices receive.
Stan’s achievement is therefore about more than one individual. It reflects the strength of his own commitment, the support of Bill Cleyndert & Company, the expertise and encouragement at Rycotewood, and the wider Activate Learning community. His success shows what can happen when talent is combined with opportunity, high expectations and sustained support.
Looking ahead
I am genuinely excited about travelling to China. The opportunity to experience a completely different culture, while witnessing the skill, energy and ambition of competitors from across the world, is incredibly inspiring. To see so many talented young people come together on such a huge international stage will be a truly memorable experience.
Most importantly, I am looking forward to supporting Stan as he represents Team GB. I feel immense pride in seeing a Rycotewood apprentice take his place among the very best in the world and showcase the high standards that can be achieved through furniture-making education, dedicated training and an apprenticeship with Bill Cleyndert & Co.
WorldSkills reminds us that the future does not have to be a choice between technology and tradition. The strongest future will bring both together: modern tools and innovative methods alongside human creativity, judgement, patience and craftsmanship.
Traditional skills matter because they enable us to make, repair and preserve things of lasting value. They matter because they offer people meaningful and rewarding careers, rooted in creativity, practical knowledge and achievement. They matter because they connect us with our past, while giving us the skills and confidence to shape the future.
That is why WorldSkills is so important to me. It celebrates excellence, raises the profile of vocational education and shows the world what talented, committed young people can achieve.
I am immensely proud to see a Rycotewood apprentice taking traditional furniture-making skills to the global stage — representing Team GB, Activate Learning and Bill Cleyndert & Co.
It is a powerful reminder that craftsmanship is not simply part of our history; it has a vital place in our future.
