Competitor: Stonemasonry competitor, 1995 in Lyon
Currently: Owns own business, Ian Knapper Fine Stone Fireplaces

Ian had competed in stonemasonry competitions in the UK since 1991 and in 1994 he won the SkillBUILD Stonemasonry competition which enabled him to compete at WorldSkills 1995 in Lyon.

After leaving college Ian was self employed for eight years. Four years ago he took the plunge and set up his own business, Ian Knapper Fine Stone Fireplaces, making bespoke fireplaces.

Ian obviously believes in the importance of skills competitions! In 2003, his employee Stephen Woolley, followed in his footsteps as the stonemasonry competitor at WorldSkills in St. Gallen. Ian says:

“The City of Bath College initially encouraged Stephen and also myself, a few years earlier, to take part in a skills competition. When I discovered that Stephen was competing I was very keen for him to be involved and we spent time building on his skills in the workplace. Since competing at WorldSkills Stephen has developed both with his skills at work but also his levels of confidence have grown. I attribute this to the WorldSkills experience.”