NICEIC Technical Training Developer Mitchel Smith appointed WorldSkills UK Training Manager for Electrical Installation
Debbie Shields | Communications Manager
NICEIC is pleased to announce the appointment of Technical Training Developer, Mitchel Smith, as the new WorldSkills UK Training Manager for Electrical Installation. This role will see Mitchel leading the training and development of competitors in the Electrical Installation Categorgy for WorldSkills as the squad prepares to represent the UK on the international stage.
The WorldSkills competition is considered by global experts as the ultimate test of a nation’s ability to meet future skills needs. It is attended by government representatives, educationalists and leading employers from across the globe.
WorldSkills UK selects the apprentices and learners in the Electrical Installation category to represent Team UK, based on performance at the rigorous SkillELECTRIC competition. NICEIC is a longstanding delivery partner of SkillELECTRIC, collaborating closely with the competition to equip participants with the skills necessary to excel in the competition.
WorldSkills 2026 will take place in Shanghai from 22-27 September 2026 and it will be the first time China has hosted the prestigious WorldSkills competition. The event will see 1,500 young people travel to Shanghai from over 80 counties to compete in technical skills from electrical installation to engineering and manufacturing, in front of an audience of 250,000.
Mitchel Smith brings over 20 years of experience in the electrical industry, with a track record demonstrating both technical integrity and a desire to continually raise the bar. Mitch also brings a dedication to training, fostering talent and promoting high standards in electrical installation, making him the ideal person to lead the Electrical Installation squad through their training and preparation for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.
Mitchel will be responsible for designing and implementing training programmes that prepare competitors for the challenges presented by WorldSkills and will work closely with industry experts and educators to ensure participants receive the highest quality training and support.
Mitchel Smith commented, "It is an absolute honour to be appointed as the WorldSkills UK Training Manager for Electrical Installation. I am looking forward to having the opportunity to work with talented individuals who made it on to the Electrical Installation squad, to help them develop their technical skills and reach their full potential. It is a very exciting challenge and we’ll be working hard in preparation for Shanghai, where we’ll be doing everything we can to come home with a medal."
Richard Orton, Chief Executive at NICEIC, commented “Mitchel has impeccable skill both as a trainer and a leader. His dedication to technical integrity and raising standards embody everything NICEIC stands for. He will be an invaluable asset to the Electrical Installation squad as they prepare for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. NICEIC is delighted to support Mitchel in his new role, and I would like to extend my congratulations to Mitchel on his appointment as well as to the Electrical Installation squad: Jonathan Gough, Kalum Low, and Conor McDonnell on their selection. We wish them every success in the competition and will be following their journey closely.”
Ben Blackledge, Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK said: “We are delighted to appoint Mitchel as the Training Manager for Electrical Installation. Mitchel, together with our other Training Managers will be supporting the young technicians on our international programme to develop the skills that employers are crying out for which will fuel business growth across our economy. WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 will be bigger than ever before with even higher standards, giving us a vital platform to learn from the very best in the world and bring skills excellence to more young people across the UK.”
Pearson is the official partner of Team UK for WorldSkills Shanghai, following a successful partnership at WorldSkills Lyon in 2024.
The WorldSkills competition is considered by global experts as the ultimate test of a nation’s ability to meet future skills needs. It is attended by government representatives, educationalists and leading employers from across the globe.
WorldSkills UK selects the apprentices and learners in the Electrical Installation category to represent Team UK, based on performance at the rigorous SkillELECTRIC competition. NICEIC is a longstanding delivery partner of SkillELECTRIC, collaborating closely with the competition to equip participants with the skills necessary to excel in the competition.
WorldSkills 2026 will take place in Shanghai from 22-27 September 2026 and it will be the first time China has hosted the prestigious WorldSkills competition. The event will see 1,500 young people travel to Shanghai from over 80 counties to compete in technical skills from electrical installation to engineering and manufacturing, in front of an audience of 250,000.
Mitchel Smith brings over 20 years of experience in the electrical industry, with a track record demonstrating both technical integrity and a desire to continually raise the bar. Mitch also brings a dedication to training, fostering talent and promoting high standards in electrical installation, making him the ideal person to lead the Electrical Installation squad through their training and preparation for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.
Mitchel will be responsible for designing and implementing training programmes that prepare competitors for the challenges presented by WorldSkills and will work closely with industry experts and educators to ensure participants receive the highest quality training and support.
Mitchel Smith commented, "It is an absolute honour to be appointed as the WorldSkills UK Training Manager for Electrical Installation. I am looking forward to having the opportunity to work with talented individuals who made it on to the Electrical Installation squad, to help them develop their technical skills and reach their full potential. It is a very exciting challenge and we’ll be working hard in preparation for Shanghai, where we’ll be doing everything we can to come home with a medal."
Richard Orton, Chief Executive at NICEIC, commented “Mitchel has impeccable skill both as a trainer and a leader. His dedication to technical integrity and raising standards embody everything NICEIC stands for. He will be an invaluable asset to the Electrical Installation squad as they prepare for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. NICEIC is delighted to support Mitchel in his new role, and I would like to extend my congratulations to Mitchel on his appointment as well as to the Electrical Installation squad: Jonathan Gough, Kalum Low, and Conor McDonnell on their selection. We wish them every success in the competition and will be following their journey closely.”
Ben Blackledge, Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK said: “We are delighted to appoint Mitchel as the Training Manager for Electrical Installation. Mitchel, together with our other Training Managers will be supporting the young technicians on our international programme to develop the skills that employers are crying out for which will fuel business growth across our economy. WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 will be bigger than ever before with even higher standards, giving us a vital platform to learn from the very best in the world and bring skills excellence to more young people across the UK.”
Pearson is the official partner of Team UK for WorldSkills Shanghai, following a successful partnership at WorldSkills Lyon in 2024.
