More than 100,000 spectators are expected to attend the six-day event, which opens tomorrow and closes in the early hours of Sunday morning when the results will be announced.
Ann Watson, CEO of employer-led Semta, which is Engineering Skills for the Future, said that Team UK epitomises the great heritage – and future – of British engineering.
She said: "Forget the World Cup or the Olympics – this is the most important competition to be held in Brazil."
She added: "Britain should look and learn - the status of young engineering apprentices is far higher in other countries than it is here.
"If the Government is to achieve the challenging target of three million new apprentices during this Parliament – we will have to achieve a cultural shift in the country's attitude to vocational training.
"Young engineers are lauded by other countries – given superstar status, feted by the media – and applauded by the public.
"The standing that engineering holds is often mirrored by the performance of a nation's manufacturing base and economy – these young people need to be granted iconic status.
"Semta wants other young people to want to emulate TeamUK – and get energised by engineering."
See send off videos at: Semta Salutes our Engineering Heroes
