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Gary Tuddenham - Download Case Study

Age: 22
Hometown: Longtown, North Cumbria
Trade: Cabinet Making

Competition: WorldSkills 2007, Japan
Skill: Cabinet Making
Result: Gold Medal

Qualifications:
* 11 GSCE’s incl 2 A *s in art & design technology
* Fine Furniture Making Level 2 & 3 (Carlisle & Kendal College) City & Guilds
* 3 year Apprenticeship at Edward Barnsley Workshop

Employer: Edward Barnsley Workshop


Gary's story

It could be said that Gary has wood work running through his veins. His father is a joiner by trade and growing up watching him at work soon made Gary want to find his way in the industry too. Little did he know though that at just 22 he would be competing in the Cabinet Making event at WorldSkills 2007 and bringing back the gold medal for the UK!

So why did Gary decide to compete?

Gary had never thought about competing before he went to college, but while he was studying for his NVQ, his teacher introduced him to SkillBuild competitions. He decided to enter and from that moment on, he never looked back. When he joined bespoke furniture makers, Edward Barnsley Workshop, they were only too happy to support him and set about helping Gary train for regional and national competitions. Gary says: 'It’s weird to think that deciding to enter that one competition has really changed my life.'

How did he prepare for WorldSkills?

“Training was good but it took a lot of dedication. You don’t realise what effect it has on the people around you. I had to take a lot of time off work to go and train and spent a lot of time away from my girlfriend, family and friends, which could be hard at times. But as soon as I landed in Japan I realised very quickly that all the training was very necessary.”

So how did Gary cope in Japan?

Well the first thing Gary had to deal with was the plane journey. Until November, Gary had never been on a plane and certainly not visited somewhere so different in culture to the UK. But Gary took it all in his stride, and accompanied by his mum and dad, who he sites as his inspiration, Gary got to work.

“WorldSkills is vast, the sheer size of it is amazing and the standards are really high. There’s definitely a link between sporting events and WorldSkills. You have to train and practice again and again. The results are the same for both – the more you practice the more your performance improves.”

So the hard work paid off?

“Once I calmed down I treated WorldSkills like every other competition I’d done. I had my mum and dad there to support me as well as the rest of the team and the training I’d put in meant I was able to maintain good concentration throughout the competition. I made a silly mistake at one point, but by keeping calm and controlled I was able to see what I’d done and correct it - something perhaps I’d have missed if I hadn’t been so prepared.” And it certainly worked for Gary. He not only won the gold medal but was also ranked 3rd in the World overall in the prestigious Albert Vidal Award, which ranks all competitors taking part in WorldSkills.

And has anything changed for Gary since he got home?

Well, Gary is certainly a local hero. He has appeared on TV, on radio shows and in newspaper articles. At work, his colleagues were really pleased for him but it’s very much back to work for Gary, making one off commissioned pieces of furniture.

“WorldSkills helps you develop personally and professionally. It’s given me confidence and skills which I’d never have achieved without competing, but I’ve still got a long way to go in my career and I’ll continue to learn and grow at work. I want to be the best I can and maybe run my own business one day.”

What will Gary remember most about WorldSkills?

There are a few things that stick out for Gary about his time with WorldSkills.
“I’ll always remember the relationship with my team mates. We gelled like we’d known each other since nursery and the team spirit was really important to us all. I’ll also never forget meeting the Prime Minister! It was really exciting going to Downing Street and to think that the person in charge of the whole country was also interested in what we had achieved in Japan was amazing. ”

So what would Gary say to prospective competitors?

“Get involved, it is the best thing you could ever, ever, do.”

A word from his employer: James Ryan, Manager, Edward Barnsley Workshop

The Edward Barnsley Workshop is unique. Primarily an educational charity, they provide apprentices with the chance to improve their skills to an incredibly high standard before they go into the business World. It sits well then, that Gary himself, was a unique candidate and the first to be entered into WorldSkills by the Workshop.

James explains “Normally the people that apply for apprenticeships with us are already in their early 20’s so for Gary to come to us when he was just 18 was unheard of. It meant that we had a candidate that was at the right age to compete so we were happy to help support Gary."

Why get involved with WorldSkills?

“It’s about encouraging people to be the best they can be, which is something we teach all our staff.”

“WorldSkills provides a vehicle to celebrate the skills of the people we have here and in the country as a whole and for those reasons alone I would continue to put people up for selection. If we can show the World we have some of the best furniture makers and reverse the belief that skill based careers aren’t important, then WorldSkills is definitely an essential event.”

What’s the training process like for a business?

James admits it’s hard work. “Fitting in the training can be very difficult. You lose productivity by having a member of staff have time off and it takes organisation, preparation and commitment. But you know that the benefits outweigh these things.”

Has competing at WorldSkills helped Gary?

“It’s certainly been good for Gary. He was always an extremely talented furniture maker but competing has honed his skills, given him more confidence, clarity of thought and a higher work level.”

What about The Edward Barnsley Workshop?

“For us it has helped to show charities and businesses that support us, just what their donations have achieved and it’s a great advertisement to go to potential supporters with too. It’s also motivating for our other apprentices.”

And his advice for other businesses looking to get involved?

“The most important thing is to be committed. This is about improving that person’s development and building loyalty which is going to take time and effort. Remember to think long term, not just short term and if you are worried about it, speak to other companies that have been involved first.”