Jodi Parker, a Graphic Design teacher at West Suffolk College, was selected as the UK’s Graphic Design Technology Expert at the 48th WorldSkills Competition.
Hosted in Shanghai, Jodi assisted in judging the Graphics Design Technology competition between 23 – 26 September.
As the UK Expert, Jodi – along with thirty-eight fellow experts from around the globe –helped to ensure that the international WorldSkills standards were upheld and that the competition was fair and consistent. Each nation is only permitted to send one Expert per area.
When asked how she felt about her appointment to the position, Jodi said: “It is a huge responsibility, but also an enormous compliment to my skills, knowledge and professional expertise. It is an incredibly exciting opportunity to help deliver graphic design at the very highest international level.”
Jodi began working for West Suffolk College in 2006, developing her skills over time and eventually progressing to represent the UK as a Graphic Design Expert at Euroskills 2025 in Denmark.
At the event, she met Baroness Jaqui Smith, Minister for Skills, and discussed the positive impact competition-based training and assessment can have on young people. She went on to implement this approach across the Art and Design provision at West Suffolk College, embedding benchmarked and timed tasks to increase students’ pace, resilience, confidence, and ambition.
Jodi discovered the WorldSkills competitions through her training for the Centre of Excellence at West Suffolk College. She became an endorsed trainer after completing the course with WorldSkills UK. This was the beginning for Jodi to start embedding their competence to excellence strategy within education. Jodi then applied to become the Training Manager for WorldSkills UK for Graphic Design Technology, alongside her role at the college.
The rigorous selection process included a formal interview and the presentation of a training task to the Technical Delegates and the International Development Team. Discussing the process, Jodi said: “I was asked to demonstrate how I would introduce the UK squad to Graphic Design Technology and test their existing knowledge and skills. I needed to show that I could engage competitors, assess their starting points, and begin preparing them to meet international WorldSkills standards. It required me to combine my teaching experience, technical knowledge, and understanding of competition-based training.”
Following her appointment, Jodi completed the WorldSkills Expert development programme, gaining accreditation and becoming internationally recognised as an Expert in Graphic Design. She also received a WorldSkills UK enamel badge which she wore during the opening and closing ceremonies in Shanghai.
“I am excited to see the other creative and digital skill areas whenever the schedule allows. WorldSkills brings together so many extraordinary skills and talented young people in one place. It is inspiring to see the expertise, commitment and creativity displayed across the different competitions and to learn how other industries develop excellence,” Jodi said when asked about her interest in other areas of the competition.
Jodi’s WorldSkills work not only advances her skills, but it also feeds back into wider teaching practices at West Suffolk College. “The College and my colleagues have been incredibly supportive and enthusiastic throughout the entire journey. My WorldSkills role involves intensive training, international travel, and significant periods away at competitions. Their support has enabled me to bring valuable international experience, industry standards, and WorldSkills methodology back. It has become something that benefits not only me and the competitors I train, but students and staff across the wider Art and Design provision,” she said.
Keen to make the most of her time in Shanghai, Jodi said: “Shanghai looks like such a vibrant and visually exciting city, so as a graphic designer, I know I will find inspiration everywhere!”
