A FORMER Reaseheath College student is aiming for gold at the world’s largest international skills competition.

Matt Beesley, 21, is competing in the landscape gardening category at the WorldSkills finals in São Paulo, Brazil, which runs from August 11-16.

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 45 different skills including electrical installation, welding, web design, cooking and bricklaying.

Matt said: “Being selected for WorldSkills São Paulo 2015 is an incredible honour and is something I’ve been working towards personally for over two years.

“I have spent every spare minute training for the competition and I am determined to give it my all.”

Matt was selected to represent Team UK in restaurant service after excelling in the WorldSkills UK National Skills Competitions – the finals of which take place at The Skills Show each November – and following a high pressure UK team selection event in June.

Carole Stott, chairman of Find a Future, which manages the UK’s entry into the WorldSkills Competition, said: “I offer my congratulations to every young person that has earned a place in Team UK.

“Skills competitions showcase the levels of performance that can be achieved by individuals and organisations through high quality further education, skills training and apprenticeships in the UK.

“Through skills competitions and the wider work of Find a Future we want to provide every young person with the chance to unlock their potential and get excited about the world of work.”

Last week, the Winsford youngster was visited by Antoinette Sandbach, MP for Eddisbury, as he made his final preparations.

Ms Sandbach said: “Matt is an inspiration to future generations of the UK’s workforce.

“His achievements prove that vocational learning can lead to great opportunities and successful careers for individuals and businesses.

“The members of Team UK are ambassadors for our nation and I wish each and every one of them the best of luck at WorldSkills São Paulo 2015.”