Competitors from 80 nations have gathered in Sao Paulo to go for gold at the ‘Skills Olympics’ 

The immensely talented top 10 have already seen off more than 600 young hopefuls during regional and national heats organised by Semta – the Sector Skills Council for engineering and Advanced Manufacturing.

It is the pinnacle of years of competition and gruelling hours of intense training to get them to world class standard.

More than 100,000 spectators are expected to attend the six-day event, which opened with a glittering ceremony on Tuesday 11th August and will close in the early hours of Sunday morning  (16th August) when the results will be announced.

Ann Watson, CEO of employer-led Semta, which is Engineering Skills for the Future, said that Team UK epitomises the great heritage – and future – of British engineering. She says: “Britain should look and learn  – the status of young engineering apprentices is far higher in other countries than it is here. 

“If the Government is to achieve the challenging target of 3 million new apprentices during this Parliament – we will have to achieve a cultural shift in the country’s attitude to vocational training.

“Young engineers are lauded by other countries – given superstar status, feted by the media – and applauded by the public. The standing that engineering holds is often mirrored by the performance of a nation’s manufacturing base and economy – these young people need to be granted iconic status.

“Semta wants other young people to want to emulate TeamUK – and get energised by engineering.”

Prime Minister David Cameron wrote to each Team UK member urging him or her to do the country proud. He said: “Expectations are high and you deserve congratulations for making it this far.

“The skills that you are competing in are vital to the long-term success of our economy. It is important to remember that you are the role models of the next generation of apprentices and vocational learners.”

Dragons’ Den star Theo Paphitis waved Team UK off at the start of their 12,000 mile round trip: “I’m incredibly proud of these kids, they have already seen off thousands of hopefuls to get here – we just don’t make enough noise about it – I’m certain that they are going to bring back a big haul of medals.

“Physical tangible skills put food on the table – we in Britain are getting better at providing them but there’s a lot more to do – we have to join it all together and give kids the best chance for a rewarding career.”