We’re so proud of our Graphic Design students, who over the years have competed at national level in the WorldSkills UK competition—bringing home well-earned medals and commendations along the way.
This year, we’re absolutely thrilled to announce that Lara, a Graphic Design student at our Medway Campus, has been selected to join the UK squad preparing for the WorldSkills International Competition (the prestigious Skills Olympics) which will take place in Shanghai in 2026!
We caught up with Lara to hear how she feels about being selected for the UK squad, her journey so far, and what lies ahead as she prepares for the international stage. She shared, "I think it’s really exciting to be selected for WorldSkills UK because it’s such a good opportunity—and I never thought I could get something like this. I moved to England only three years ago and I didn’t even consider doing design before I came here, so it’s a big surprise and really exciting for me."
Over the next 18 months, Lara will undergo intensive training with the UK squad, including competitions such as EuroSkills in Denmark and international pressure tests abroad: "WorldSkills is like the beginning of my own personal journey. After each competition I’ll gain more skills, more experience—and hopefully it will help me find a job in the industry. It’s definitely a stressful environment, but you get good at handling the pressure. I make sure to rest and take ‘chill days’ when I can."
Alongside her competition prep, Lara is in her second year of study and reflecting on how far she’s come: "My experience at MidKent College has been really good. My tutor Babs has been amazing—she’s always been by my side, even through difficult moments. In the future, I’d love to work in a small studio or company as a graphic designer. I really enjoy working with computers, doing illustrations, patterns, and especially designing packaging. And when I have free time, I’m still scrapbooking—I just love it!"
Her tutor, Babs Jossi, couldn’t be prouder: "Lara’s growth over the past two years has been incredible. She’s worked so hard, stayed curious, and always brings creativity and determination to everything she does. I’m so proud to see her representing the UK—she absolutely deserves this opportunity."
We will be following Lara’s journey every step of the way!
