The Association of Professional Landscapers has announced the winners of the 2024 WorldSkills UK National Finals, which took place 18-22 November 2024.
Taking home the joint Gold award were Alan Myers and Harry Fitzsimmons, both representing the College of Agriculture, Food & Rural Enterprise (CAFRE). Archie Matthews of Myerscough College earned the Silver award, while Luke Donaldfrom CAFRE secured Bronze.
The competition featured a mix of apprentices and full-time students who first navigated two rigorous rounds of heats. From this pool, the top eight finalists advanced to battle for the prestigious title of WSUK Landscaping Champion 2024.
A Challenge of Precision and Skill
The finalists faced a demanding task: building a 12m² garden from scratch in just 16.5 hours. Each design incorporated key elements, including paving, decking, fencing, brickwork, lighting, a water feature, and planting. Competitors were judged on precision, with tolerances as fine as 3mm, alongside the quality of their finish and time management.
The APL extends its gratitude to JA Jones Nurseries, Makita, Bradstone, and Landscape Plus for their sponsorship. Special thanks go to the Landscape Academy for assisting with tool acquisition, and to Steve Smith of Shore Landscape Consultants for his expertise in build support, judging, and power tool training.
Foundation Skills: Horticulture Competition
The APL also hosted the Foundation Skills: Horticulture competition, which celebrates the achievements of students with learning disabilities. Ross Muller of Pembrokeshire College won Gold, Russell Reeves of Elidyr Communities Trust took Silver, and Kieran Walsh of Myerscough College earned Bronze.
Participants demonstrated their skills by preparing four planting beds with a winter theme and presenting their work to the judges, showcasing both technical ability and growing independence. This inspiring event was proudly sponsored by Bents Garden Centre.
APL General Manager, Phil Tremayne, commented: "The APL is proud to support these competitions, which highlight the importance of skills development in our sector. This year’s events in Oldham and Manchester showcased the incredible expertise, creativity, and resilience of these young professionals. Congratulations to all the competitors, as well as the colleges and businesses that have supported them.
We now turn our focus to planning for 2025, where we will continue to nurture the next generation of talent, this time in Cardiff."
For more information about WorldSkills UK and their mission to champion skills excellence, visit www.worldskillsuk.org.
