Role Models

Skills role models Danny started cooking young, making meals for his brothers to help his parents who had demanding jobs. A chore soon became a passion. Danny studied cooking at Westminster Kingsway College. In 2014, he was named the best young Chef in Europe at the EuroSkills competition in France. Since then, Danny was headhunted and now works in Momofuku Ko in New York.

Sporting success Multiple Olympic champion Laura Trott met her idol Bradley Wiggins (who had just won gold in Athens) in 2004 when she was a budding junior cycling star aged 12. “It felt amazing,” she said. “I still look at that picture of me and Sir Brad from when I was little and he let me wear his Olympic medal.” http://i4.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article8648451.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/ecsImgI130213_104013_130669-9194568244157229228.jpg

Skills role models Many stonemasons are inspired by the world famous Cathedrals and architecture we see in our cities. Sam Turner, who competed as part of Team UK in 2015, won a bronze medal at the international competition in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He now works for York minster Cathedral as one of their highly valued stonemasons.

Business role models Oprah is the richest African American of the 21st century, and with a net worth of over $3 billion. Her incredible success is all the more impressive considering her rough upbringing. Oprah grew up in extreme poverty. Her family was so poor that, as a child, Oprah was teased at school for wearing dresses made of potato sacks. Heather Wines/CBS via Getty Images Oprah's first big break was her gig at the local black radio station. Stations managers were impressed with her oration and passion, leading Oprah to work her way up the ranks to bigger radio stations, eventually resulting in her appearing on TV.

Skills role models What started out as a Saturday job, quickly developed into a passion and Joseph found his vocation amongst the buckets of blossoms and buds. Botanical artist, Joseph, 27, from Liverpool, won a Bronze Medal for Team UK in the Floristry Competition at WorldSkills Calgary (Canada) in 2009.  He has gone onto win five Gold Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Medals and last year was commissioned to create a floral installation at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2016 to celebrate the 90th birthday of RHS Patron, HM the Queen. Copyright @Joseph Massie

Sporting success Michael Phelps, winner of 23 gold medals for swimming met 13 year old Joseph Schooling at training camp in 2008. Eight years on Joseph beat Michael in the 100 metre butterfly at Rio! https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/4ab686c3c31b4c72660e2be910e84e27254168cd/0_65_2200_1320/master/2200.jpg?w=620&q=55&auto=format&usm=12&fit=max&s=07f04f802606a421fbd57e892e9c0936

Skills role models Shayne Hadland knew he wanted a career involving aeroplanes since he first saw a plane as a child. Shayne became an aircraft maintenance specialist, and put his skills to the test by entering the WorldSkills competitions. He won silver at WorldSkills International competition and has since been awarded an MBE.

Business role models Bill Gates is one of the most famous entrepreneurs of our era. With a net worth estimated to be over $79 billion, Gates has held the title of "world's wealthiest individual" for 16 of the past 21 years. PRNewsFoto/Waggener Edstron/AP Images Gates showed an interest in computer programming at a very young age, spending all of his free time creating programs on the teletype terminal computer his school had donated. Co-founder of the world's largest PC software company, Microsoft, Gates was one of the defining figures of the personal computer revolution.

Skills role models Rebecca Wilson developed her love of cars from her dad. She spent her childhood helping him restore cars and she went on to secure an apprenticeship with CM Accident Repair as a Car Painter. Representing the UK at WorldSkills Sao Paulo (Brazil) in 2015, Rebecca won bronze in Car Painting. “When they called it out it was brilliant, not only for me but there was another girl on the stage. It’s a very a male-dominated skill, so for there to be two girls getting medals is a really good achievement.”

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