Fix Auto Newport Apprentice Receives Worldskills Team GB Call Up

Fix Auto UK apprentice Teagan Whiteman has been named among the Team UK Long Squad that will now train to compete at the 2026 WorldSkills World Finals.

Today, the 19-year-old spray painter who works at Fix Auto Newport in South Wales, was named as one of three apprentices who will be personally coached and closely monitored by the WorldSkills Training Team with the view of one competing on the global stage at the finals set for Shanghai, China, in September next year.

Teagan cemented her place following a series of three-day ‘final’ assessments held at The Eye Box in Coventry and Warwick University over the last five weeks and further cements her position as one of the country’s leading apprentice spray painters. In October last year, Teagan won the bronze medal at the UK WorldSkills Finals held in Bolton. Last month, she became the first Fix Auto UK representative in the organisation’s 20-year history to be recognised by the Institute of the Motor Industry when she received a £1,500 bursary to help with her training.   

Speaking shortly after being told that she’d finally achieved her goal of making Team GB, Teagan said: “I am completely lost for words. I really couldn’t be happier, and I can’t thank the team at Fix Auto Newport, in particularly my mentor Alex (Braddon) and our manager John (Bowler) enough for all the support they’ve given me.

“While I have made the Long Squad, there’s still a lot of work, training and preparation to do before the final decision on who goes and competes in Shanghai is made. All I can do is to give it my best shot possible.”

Ian Pugh, Managing Director of the Advantage Group of Companies which Fix Auto Newport falls within, added: “It really is an incredible achievement and credit must be given to Teagan and those who’ve closely supported her through this long journey.

“I’ve said this many times before, but as every year passes, we manage to write a new chapter for the organisation, it is so apt that, at a time where we are celebrating our 20^th anniversary, we can celebrate our first ever Team UK WorldSkills representative. Fingers crossed, Teagan will go all the way and compete in Shanghai.

John added: “Teagan’s dedication and enthusiasm for the job is inspirational. To be recognised by the IMI was an incredible achievement and was a first, not only for Fix Auto Newport, but for the entire Fix Auto UK organisation and we couldn’t be prouder. Now, she’s taken her achievements to that next level by making Team UK for the WorldSkills.”

Richard Wheeler, WorldSkills UK Training Manager for Car Painting, said: “Just like the other three competitors, Teagan has worked tremendously hard to get to this stage of the final selection process. I’m now looking forward to working closely with them over the next 18 months during which time we will select our final competitor who will fly out and compete in Shanghai. All I can say is, best of luck to Teagan.”