London South Bank Technical College (LSBTC) is delighted to announce that plumbing apprentice Hannah Barrow has been named a finalist in the prestigious WorldSkills UK 2025 national finals—the first time a student from a London college has achieved this honour.
Hannah’s achievement comes after rigorous regional competitions in which nearly 7,900 young people from across the UK showcased their talents in skilled trades. From those, just 417 finalists were selected to compete in 47 disciplines at the national finals, which will be taking place from 26th–28th November 2025 in south Wales. Winners will not only receive gold, silver, and bronze medals but will also earn the opportunity to represent the UK at the global “skills Olympics” in Yokohama, Japan, in 2028.
Hannah studies plumbing on a City & Guilds apprenticeship programme at LSBTC’s Nine Elms campus, where she has impressed staff and peers alike with her technical proficiency, attention to detail, and dedication to quality workmanship. Her success reflects both her personal commitment and the college’s emphasis on world-class training standards in STEAM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics).
“This is an outstanding achievement for Hannah and a milestone for our college,” said Principal Wayne Wright. “As far as we know, she is the only finalist from a London college this year. We’re immensely proud of her and the hard work of our plumbing team, led by Danny and Jim, whose coaching has made this possible.”
The national finals will be hosted across three further education colleges and two university campuses in South Wales, marking the first time the competition has been staged outside Greater Manchester since its inception. Competitors will demonstrate their expertise in high-pressure, real-world scenarios—laying pipework, diagnosing faults, and installing fixtures to industry standards—while being assessed by leading employers and skills experts.
WorldSkills UK, a partnership between education, industry, and government across the four nations, champions the prestige of technical education and works to embed world-class training standards nationwide. With employers in urgent need of skilled professionals, the competition serves as both a platform and a benchmark for excellence in vocational training.
As Hannah prepares to take her place among the best young plumbers in the country, the college community is already rallying behind her.
LSBTC extends its heartfelt congratulations to Hannah Barrow and wishes her the very best of luck at the WorldSkills UK national finals. Her success not only highlights the exceptional calibre of technical education at London South Bank Technical College but also inspires the next generation of skilled professionals in South London and beyond.
