Car mechanics will be among those competing

The victory - over efforts by Sweden and Australia - was announced at 0400BST in Melbourne on Wednesday.

About 40 nations will compete in the event, which will cost �22m to run. The government is providing �11m.

Education Secretary Alan Johnson said it was "wonderful news" and would raise the profile of skills training.

'Inspirational'

WorldSkills, held every two years, will take place in London from 6 to 9 October 2011.

Mr Johnson said: "This is wonderful news. We now have a unique chance, with the government, business and the education sector working closely together, to raise the status of skills and vocational education dramatically and inspire a new generation of youngsters to take up good careers in all sectors of the economy."

Competitors are judged on speed and quality of work

Chris Humphries, Chairman of UK Skills, the organisation which led the UK bid, said: "For too long the vocational route has been seen as inferior to academic studies, but succeeding in the skills sector takes just as much dedication, determination and hard work."

Shadow education minister John Hayes said the UK's success was "great news".

"Winning the right to host the games is a good start, but we still have a mountain to climb if we are to achieve parity of esteem between vocational and academic education and transform Britain into a world leader on skills," he said.

The Welsh Education Minister, Jane Davidson, said she was delighted.

"We will be working closely with the Department for Education and Skills and UK Skills to ensure this competition is a huge success and that we are able to incorporate the Welsh agenda into this key event to show the world what we have to offer," she said.

"It will act as a major driver to enthuse people in Wales about the importance of skills, which is a fundamental part of my learning agenda for Wales."

Training

Some 700 young people will be competing in the event, which includes 40 different skills.

They will be judged on speed and quality of work.

Entrants are selected from those who have excelled at regional and national skills competitions.

They then train intensively for several months before a "play-off" to get into the national team.

The aim of the event is to "raise the profile and status of vocational skills, technicians and specialist crafts to a wider audience".