A FORMER Bridgewater High School student is going for gold at an international competition.

Ben Love is taking part in the National Finals of the 2022 WorldSkills UK competition which focuses on vocational skills.

Ben, 19, and fellow Siemens apprentice Lucy Yelland will be going up against other teams from across the UK in the mechatronics division.

The final at Barking & Dagenham College from November 14 to November 18 is the culmination of a seven-month process including regional heats and intensive training.

Winners go on to represent Team UK at the skills competition in Lyon, France, in 2024.

Ben is currently in his second year of a degree apprenticeship with Siemens Digital Industries and has been interested in engineering and technology from an early age.

“My dad runs an electrical engineering business, so I grew up tinkering with electrical components and various hardware and software that he brought home from work,” he said.

“It became a hobby and when I was 14, I used Siemens’ kit to build a home automation system which controlled my bedroom blinds, lamp, and even set up an alarm system with a laser through beam sensor.”

Commenting on their achievement, Brian Holliday, managing director for Siemens Digital Industries, said: “Lucy and Ben have shown real dedication and determination to make it so far in the competition and we are very proud of them.

“Their achievement demonstrates a promising career at Siemens.

“Early careers opportunities like apprenticeships are a critical part of our mission to ensure we have the talent and growth mindset we need for the future.”