WorldSkills UK 2026 Fire & Security Finalists Announced

A post by Skills for Security.

Celebrating the next generation of fire and security talent

We are delighted to announce the eight finalists who have secured their place in the WorldSkills UK 2026 Electronic Fire & Security competition.

The WorldSkills UK competition challenges talented apprentices from across the country to demonstrate their technical ability, precision and problem-solving skills on a national stage. It provides competitors with an invaluable opportunity to build their confidence, test themselves under pressure and showcase the high standards being achieved by the next generation of our industry.

The journey to the National Finals

To earn their place in the final, competitors progressed through a series of demanding qualifying stages designed to test both their technical knowledge and practical skills.

Throughout the process, they were challenged to work accurately, solve problems and demonstrate the professional standards expected within the electronic fire and security sector.

Following strong performances during the qualifiers, eight exceptional competitors will now progress to the WorldSkills UK National Finals:

• Matthew Kenyon, trained by Skills for Security, employed by Catchpoint UK ltd
• Michael Ascott, trained by Skills for Security, employed by EFT Group
• Oliver Clarke, trained by Skills for Security, employed by HJC Install and Commissioning LTD
• Sarah Murphy, trained by Skills for Security, employed by Crafted Technologies
• Thomas Wylie, trained by Skills for Security, employed by Network Scotland
• David Hutton, trained by New College Lanarkshire, employed by Vaults Systems LTD
• Louie Brown, trained by Hopwood Hall, employed by Walker Fire
• Stephen Darlow-Joy trained by SGS College, employed by Decibel Fire and Security

Reaching the National Finals is a fantastic achievement, and every finalist should be incredibly proud of the dedication and technical ability they have demonstrated throughout the competition so far.

Five Skills for Security apprentices reach the final

We are particularly proud to see five Skills for Security apprentices among this year’s eight finalists: Matthew Kenyon, Oliver Clarke, Sarah Murphy, Michael Ascott and Thomas Wylie.

Their success is a brilliant reflection of the hard work they have each put into the competition, alongside the support they have received from their employers and tutors. We look forward to seeing them represent Skills for Security at the National Finals in November.

Supporting excellence across the industry

Skills for Security is proud to once again be the organising partner for the Electronic Fire & Security competition.

Our involvement supports our wider commitment to raising standards, addressing the industry skills gap and creating opportunities for apprentices to demonstrate what they can achieve. Competitions such as WorldSkills UK also help to showcase electronic fire and security as a skilled, rewarding and progressive career choice.

We would like to thank everyone who has supported the competition so far, including the employers, training providers, judges, sponsors and industry partners who make it possible.

Lead Partners
Nineteen Group| CSL Group| Paxton Access Ltd| Texecom Ltd

Supporting Partners
SSAIB| C-TEC | GS Yuasa Battery| Dahua UK | NSI

Looking ahead to South Wales

The WorldSkills UK National Finals will take place across venues in South Wales from 18–20 November 2026, bringing together hundreds of talented apprentices and students competing across more than 40 skill disciplines.

The finalists will compete in a high-pressure environment that reflects the pace, expectations and professional standards of the workplace, before the winners are recognised at the National Finals Medal Ceremony.

Congratulations to all eight finalists. We wish you the very best of luck and look forward to cheering you on in November!