Senior Aircraftwoman Kerry McStea acknowledged as the fourth best young aircraft maintenance engineer in the entire world. Photo: MoD
Vigilance can report that Senior Aircraftman (SAC) Ben Tullett last week received Deputy PM Nick Clegg’s best wishes at a function at No10 Downing Street prior to leaving for the World Skills Competition to be held inLeipzig over 2-7 July 2013.
A source at the MoD said Ben had been competing in the Aircraft Maintenance discipline of the Worldskills Competition, a competition that tests and examines the excellence of practical skills learnt during apprenticeships at local, national and then international level.
According to the source this involves an assessment application of his skill-of-hand when conducting sheet metal work, an engine inspection with repair, component replacement, flying control rigging, electrical diagnostics and flight servicing.
Also, the source revealed following an exhaustive series of competitions and selection rounds Ben had been selected as the No1 choice to represent the UK at the Worldskills competition, saying his results show ‘consistent excellence in engineering skill, planning, and attention to detail in all aspects’.The source added in particular, it had been noted that ‘he had built on the skills established during his RAF apprenticeship and follow-on practical training courses’.
The source noted that whilst the competition between the final 7 members of the Worldskills UK squad had been fierce, Ben’s skills gained during his RAF Apprenticeship and subsequent work on a front line RAF Chinook Squadron and positive attitude, gained him selection over many applicants from the three Armed services and other civil aircraft maintenance organisations including BAeS, QinetiQ and Hawker-Beechcraft.
Thus far Ben is said to have demonstrated excellence in the engineering that he practices, proven through his achievements in the Worldskills competition. Showing himself to be an outstanding ambassador for the RAF’s apprenticeship training scheme, the RAF and the UK, it is hoped that he will bring back the ‘gold’ from Leipzig shortly!
The Deputy PM said: ‘Every member of the UK team is a role model for vocational skills. TeamUK’s success is proof of how high quality Apprenticeships & vocational qualifications can lead to rewarding & successful career’
Business Secretary Vince Cable offered: ‘when it comes to skills Britain has world class talent. Team UK are a good example of what our workforce can offer business and how practical learning can transform the lives of young people’.
Andrew Jones MP (who hosted the No10 visit) said: ‘These young people are not just ambassadors for skills and apprenticeships they are ambassadors for our country. ... I wish them every success in the competition’
SAC Tullett said: ‘It has been a great experience representing the RAF in this competition so far and I never thought that my skills would lead me to visiting No10 Downing Street and representing my country. This is a great honour and I promise to do my very best to show the RAF and the UK in the best possible light during the final’
When asked about the best thing about the competition he offered that: “worldskills has offered me the chance to show what the RAF has taught me and the honour to represent my service & the UK at an International level”
Further he added: “The hardest thing about the competition is not knowing how good the other entrants are going to be. It’s a different sort of pressure from being on RAF Operations, as the pressure is on you rather than the team, so pressure is self induced – knowing what’s at stake.”
Would he do it again?
Ben finished by saying: “I’d recommend it to anybody. It’s a fantastic experience to broaden your knowledge, travel, and meet different people from other countries.”