APPRENTICE Matthew Lander is one step closer to the trip of a lifetime.

Matthew, 18, an apprentice at Honley air conditioning firm Crowther and Shaw, is due to take part in the final selection for a chance to represent the UK at the 2007 WorldSkills contest in Japan.

He will compete in the final stage at South Birmingham College, which will determine whether he joins other hopefuls at the WorldSkills final.

The three-day competition, which begins on February 27, involves three tasks - designing and installing a small cold room, installing a heat pump air conditioning unit and demonstrating skills in manipulating pipework.

WorldSkills, formerly called the Skills Olympics, is held every two years to show the skills of hundreds of young people in vocational training.

The 2011 event will be in the UK.

Matthew, who also goes to a Grimsby college, said: "I am very excited about 2007 WorldSkills. I feel confident that all my training has really helped me to prepare for the tasks in Japan.

"It seems all the hard work is beginning to pay off."

Matthew, who lives at Berry Brow, has already won the national title of Young Refrigeration Engineer at the SkillFridge event.

He has completed NVQ level 2 in refrigeration and air conditioning and is now working towards his level 3.