The WorldSkills UK Automation National Qualifiers were hosted with nine teams in attendance—eight representing LDEUTC and one from Barking & Dagenham College. Throughout the day, competitors worked through a series of demanding tasks under timed conditions, being judged on both technical execution and how well they adhered to the task brief.

The competition was split into three stages: pneumatic systems, electropneumatic systems, and PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) programming. Each stage tested not only technical accuracy but also problem-solving, teamwork, and the ability to perform under pressure.

Teacher Nicolos Makatsaria, reflecting on his experience, shared "This was my third time competing in the National Qualifier stage of the WorldSkills UK Automation competition. As always, the tasks were complex and required a vast depth of knowledge. Similarly to my previous attempts, I had to heavily rely on my training in order to gain marks. This competition has allowed me to further increase my knowledge in the area and learn where to improve so that I can gain more marks a lot easier the next time. This was such an amazing experience, I cannot wait to try again next year!"

The event offered a valuable opportunity for learners to showcase their technical expertise on a national platform and gain insight into the high standards of industry-level automation.