A YOUNG joiner could be on his way to Brazil next year after being selected to join

a squad representing the UK in an industry competition.

Dominic Hicks, 20, of Carew, Pembrokeshire, who is currently working as a joiner for Narbeth-based Keating Joinery, has been selected for WorldSkills Squad UK.

He will now compete for a place in the team which will be representing the UK at WorldSkills São Paulo 2015.

WorldSkills is the largest international skills competition in the world. Held every two years, the competition sees around 1000 young people, aged 18-25, from all over the world come together to compete for medals in more than 40 different skills including Electrical Installation, Welding, Web Design, Cooking and Bricklaying.

Dominic Hicks is one of 10 Welsh youngsters, aged between 19 and 21, from across Wales who have been named among 98 members of Squad UK.

They were all invited to compete in the selection competitions after excelling at the WorldSkills UK National Competitions, the finals of which took place at The Skills Show last November.

The squad will spend the next 11 months training in their skill.

In May next year they will compete for a coveted placed in the team that will represent the UK at WorldSkills São Paulo 2015 which takes place from 11-16 August.

Dominic said he was thrilled to have been selected.

“If I am able to get through to WorldSkills São Paulo 2015 it would be the trip of a lifetime for me, especially as I will be representing Wales,” he said.

“I have a long standing interest in working with wood so when the time came I decided to pursue a career in joinery.

“I have certainly enjoyed all the WorldSkills competitions up to now and the additional training that I have received so far has made a massive difference to my joinery work.”

Deputy minister for skills and technology Ken Skates said: "I'm really pleased to see so many high quality Welsh apprentices represented at the WorldSkills competition. Wales can boast a wealth of exceptionally talented apprentices who have highly developed skills in a wide range of vocational areas.

“The 10 Welsh competitors in Squad UK are all great ambassadors for Wales and I wish them and Squad UK all the very best for the competition.

“I hope this recognition inspires many more young people to consider an apprenticeship as a path to a successful career."