Bath College stonemason Ethan Conlon to compete in Russia at WorldSkills 2019

Bath College apprentice, Ethan Conlon, has been travelling around the world preparing to demonstrate his stonemasonry skills against the world's best.

He will take compete with finalists from 60 countries at WorldSkills 2019 in Kazan in Russia next month.

The 18-year-old will compete in the architectural stonemasonry category after triumphing over stonemasons from across the country earlier this year.

Ethan, who studies at Bath College and is also an apprentice with APS Stonemasonry in Oxford, was selected for the college's shortlist for WorldSkills back in early 2018 after impressing lecturers with his natural ability and commitment.

He was invited to compete for a place in Team UK for WorldSkills Kazan 2019 after excelling in the WorldSkills UK National Competitions.

After taking part in a four-day competition, he was chosen to join Team UK. He received 10 weeks of specialist training and is now off to Kazan as Team UK's only stonemason in the squad of 30.

Joe Leber, Stonemasonry Lecturer at Bath College said: “We are delighted that Ethan is off to compete at world skills in Kazan 2019, we are very proud of him and wish him the very best of luck! He is a fantastic young mason.”

Ahead of the competition, which takes place from 22nd – 27th August, the teenager has built up his experience by travelling to competitions in Russia and Brazil for final preparation.

WorldSkills UK is responsible for selecting, developing and training the team for the WorldSkills Competition. A partnership between business, education and governments, WorldSkills UK runs skills competitions for thousands of young people every year in key economic skill areas, boosting the technical skills, mindset and employability skills of young people.

Visit worldskills2019.com for more information.