Leading international education experts book the date in your diary

01 June 2010, Manama: A global education summit launched last year in Bahrain will return to the Kingdom in October, reuniting international experts focused on improving the quality of education worldwide.

The second occasion of the Education Project will take place from 8-10 October, bringing together the community of educators formed at the inaugural event last year. The annual platform was initiated by His Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince of Bahrain and Chairman of the Kingdom’s Economic Development Board (EDB). It was established to help shape the future of education, described last year by HRH the Crown Prince as the most important issue to the future of any country.

By Skillbuild Northern Ireland

Construction apprentices from all over Northern Ireland tested their skills in the largest multi-trade skills competition in the Province at South West College, Enniskillen, on May 12-13, 2010.

Providing a unique stage to showcase excellence and talent, Skillbuild NI (Northern Ireland) is hosted each spring and over 100 of the top construction apprentices competed to win coveted titles in 13 different craft areas, ranging from plumbing to bricklaying and, for the first time, electrical installation. The winners may then go on to represent Northern Ireland in the UK and Skillbuild finals.

Skillbuild NI competition test pieces are designed to challenge the ability of apprentices to follow detailed instructions, produce accurate and neat work outputs, be economical with materials and work to strict timescales – all essential requirements for today’s construction industry. The competition not only encourages trainees to improve their own skills but provides an example of the high quality work being produced in training organisations across NI to meet local industry skill levels.

By UK Skills

A team of talented young landscape gardeners that helped create a garden designed by UK Skills to showcase ‘world class talent’ have had their achievements celebrated by the Experts at the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show by winning a silver medal.

UK Skills, the not for profit organisation that champions skills and learning for work through competitions and awards, created the garden “Growing World Class Talent: celebrating the workforce of tomorrow”, to promote excellence in vocational education and training. It also aimed to illustrate how greater investment in skills and development will help lift UK industry out of recession. The garden features a variety of edible, ornamental and native plants and showcases the wide range of skills that are required to construct an outdoor space suitable for 21st century living. The garden was judged in the Urban Garden category at the Show.

All 26 young members of Team UK were honoured (9^th October) at a prestigious reception at City Hall, London, to celebrate their fantastic achievements at WorldSkills Calgary 2009, the skills equivalent of the Olympics.  They were joined by celebrity guest Matt Dawson MBE.

7 September

Channel Seven Sunrise will showcase the medallists from the 40th WorldSkills Competition tomorrow (8th September) at 7:40am EST.

Be watching Sunrise for interviews with the Skillaroos live from the Tailgate Football Party at McMahon Stadium, Calgary.

Following the Sunrise broadcast, log on to the WorldSkills Australia website (www.worldskills.org.au) for the launch of the official Closing Ceremony footage of the Skillaroos.

CALGARY, September 6, 2009 – A boisterous international crowd filled the Stampede Corral in Calgary, Alberta as medalists were announced during the Closing Ceremony of the 40th WorldSkills Competition.

WorldSkills International President Tjerk (Jack) Dusseldorp declared the Calgary Competition an overwhelming success. “I am very pleased to offer you my judgment that this has been the best Competition ever,” he said.

The week-long celebration and showcase of skill brought together the finest young professionals in trades and technologies from 51 Member countries/regions. More than 900 Competitors in 45 skills, ranging from fashion technology to mobile robotics, vied for the gold medals and awards over four days of intense, often highly stressful competition. Total attendance for the event, including Opening and Closing Ceremonies, was 151,589.

The Closing Ceremony was a magnificent display of energy and excitement as medalists and special awards were announced at the sold-out event. The Albert Vidal Award was presented to Mr. Thiam Shui Tan of Singapore, as the Competitor with the highest overall score of the Competition. Korea led all Members at WorldSkills Calgary 2009, winning 23 medals. Switzerland and Japan tied for second, with 14 medals each. Chinese Taipei was third, with 12.

“I am truly in awe at the talent and determination I’ve witnessed this past week. I saw firsthand the very best and brightest young tradespeople and technologists hone their skills and pursue excellence in their respective fields this past week,” said Richard Walker, President and CEO of WorldSkills Calgary 2009. “Each Competitor should be proud of his or her achievement tonight. They displayed commitment, passion and grace under pressure. They are all Champions.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“Great 38” wins 8 Medals and 12 Medallions of Excellence at WorldSkills 2009

CALGARY, Alberta, September 6, 2009 (WORLDSKILLS CALGARY 2009) – After the completion of four days of international competition, Team Canada proudly took the podium today at the closing ceremonies of WorldSkills Calgary 2009 to receive official recognition for their outstanding performance. Made up of 31 male and 7 female competitors ranging in age from 18 to 22, Team Canada took an impressive 8 Medals and 12 Medallions of Excellence.

Media Release - 7 September 2009

The young New Zealand team of “Tool Blacks”, contesting the WorldSkills Competition in Calgary, Canada, gained six Medallions for Excellence from the seventeen trade categories in which they competed during the four-day event.

While the team did not win gold, silver or bronze at the 2009 contest, the medals won showed that they were well amongst the leaders of the over 800 Competitors from 51 countries/regions who took part.

The New Zealand medal winners were Ben De Groot, of Gore, competing in the Electrical Installations category; Elliott Wilkes, of Palmerston North, Sheet Metal Technologies; Thomas Townsend, Auckland, Cooking; Marcel Woods, Kaikohe, Automotive Technology; Royce Richards, Christchurch, Printing; and Jared Lamb, Palmerston North, Welding.

Ben De Groot was judged “Best of Nation” by the international judging panel for New Zealand.

The New Zealand team of 17 was the largest from this country to compete in the international event that is held every two years.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

650 leaders from government, industry, education and labour organisations will address global skills issues at this year’s WorldSkills Leaders Forum (WSLF) in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on September 3rd.

The WSLF is being held at Calgary Regency Hyatt in the Imperial Ballroom from 11 a.m. to 1:40 p.m. The keynote address will be given by the internationally renowned authority on the impact of information technology on business, Don Tapscott. Mr. Tapscott is an international bestselling author, his books include Wikinomics How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything, and Growing Up Digital.

Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, speaks at tonights Opening Ceremony. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Joins other prominent officials in welcoming young global Competitors to Calgary

Prime Minister Stephen Harper joins First Nations Treaty 7 Grand Chief Charles Weaselhead, Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach, Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier, WorldSkills International Chairman Tjerk (Jack) Dusseldorp, and WorldSkills Calgary 2009 Chairman Guy Mallabone for the Opening Ceremony of WorldSkills Calgary 2009.

“To host the 40th WorldSkills Competition is a tremendous honour for Canada,” said Prime Minister Harper. “This marks the second time the event has been held in Canada and only the third time in North America in its 59-year history. The Government of Canada is proud to support WorldSkills Calgary 2009, as part of our efforts to encourage young Canadians to consider rewarding careers in the skills, trades and technologies sectors, where we have a great need for talented people.”

CityNewsRoom

News Release

(Calgary, AB) – From September 1st through September 3rd, The City of Calgary’s Artisan Village at Olympic Plaza will host a daily noon hour fashion show featuring pieces from Calgary designers Caitlin Power, Yvonne Jobin and Amy Willier.

As part of The City’s WorldSkills Cultural Celebration—a tribute to the international competition in skills, trades & technology taking place at Stampede Park—the fashion show links yet another industry that relies on skilled professions.

CityNewsRoom

News Release

Calgary - The City of Calgary Public Art Program, in partnership with The City of Calgary WorldSkills 2009 Project Management Office, is pleased to present two multi-day public art events taking place from Aug. 29 to Sept. 5, 2009.

Both initiatives will see an artist engaged in the process of creating a commissioned artwork for the City of Calgary, and allow the general public to witness the creative process in progress and better understand how specific trades or skills can be used in the creation of artwork.

CityNewsRoom

News Release

Silversmithing. Pottery. Fashion design. Art likely comes to mind when you think of these, but a skilled trade?

Open daily through September 5th, the Artisan Village at Olympic Plaza will feature talented, local artists selling their crafts, demonstrating their skills and showing the world how skilled trades can play a significant role in the arts.

As WorldSkills Calgary 2009 is a celebration of skills,trades and technology, the Artisan Village highlights other ways in which skilled trades can be applied.

CityNewsRoom

News Release

Calgary - From Aug. 29 to Sept. 5, a variety of live music, dance and specialty acts will descend upon Olympic Plaza and the Coca Cola Stage at Stampede Park for the City of Calgary’s WorldSkills Cultural Celebration.

Held in honor of the WorldSkills Calgary 2009 international competition, the cultural celebration will feature must-see, family-friendly entertainment including a diverse range of live music from hip hop to country, an artisan village and fashion show, unique WorldSkills-inspired performances, thrilling acrobatics, roving performers and even a shot at the world record for the most jugglers in one place at one time.

News Release - September 2, 2009

Alberta welcomes the world to WorldSkills Calgary 2009

Calgary... The 40th WorldSkills competition opened Sept. 1 at Calgary’s Stampede Park with a display of fireworks, eclectic entertainment and a parade of more than 900 international competitors. More than 15,000 spectators gathered for the opening ceremony, kicking off a competition in which the world’s top young talent vie for gold in 45 skills, trades and technology categories over four days.

Prior to the opening ceremony, Premier Ed Stelmach welcomed more than 500 international dignitaries and delegates, “Alberta believes that skilled tradespeople and technologists will shape our future in countless ways. By working together, we can propel the skills movement forward across the globe and develop the skills knowledge and expertise we need for today and tomorrow.” 

CMEC Wishes Team Canada Success at the 40th WorldSkills Competition in Calgary

CALGARY, September 1, 2009 — The Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC), wishes success to the students representing Team Canada at the 40th WorldSkills Competition, held in Calgary from September 1 to 7, 2009.

Hailed as the pinnacle competition of global skills, trades, and technology, this biennial event promotes excellence and competency in international industry standards and brings over 900 competitors from 51 countries, in 45 skill categories, for four days of intense competition.

The Opening Ceremony was held at the Grand Stand in Stampede Park.

For the 40th time the WorldSkills Competition welcomed all of the Competitors, Experts, Delegates, families, friends and staff at the Opening Ceremony, held at the Grand Stand, Stampede Park, in Calgary, Canada.

The excitement could not be missed as the Competitors waited anxiously to be announced, in alphabetical order by country/region in front of the 15,000 people that had turned up to participate in this truly international event.

Richard Walker, President and CEO of WorldSkills Calgary 2009 and Grand Chief Charles Weaselhead (Aboriginal Leader) were the first speakers to address the audience followed by the parade of 51 nations being cheered on by all their supporters. Getting 51 countries/regions across a large stage took about 45 minutes, but every minute was filled with emotion and excitement.

WorldSkills Competition 2013 to be hosted by Germany in Leipzig.

At a special General Assembly at WorldSkills Calgary 2009 on August 31, the WorldSkills International Members voted Germany to be the host for the 42nd WorldSkills Competition in 2013. It was a close race as SkillsGermany grabbed the win with 23 to 22 victory.

Both Germany and France were vying for the right to host the 2013 WorldSkills Competition. They both offered outstanding facilities and attractions that would provide a first class event plus unique cultural experiences. Via a voting process, Germany was declared the winner.

View video of SkillsGermany bid presentation for WSC2013

The City of Calgary and WorldSkills Calgary 2009 Ltd. are welcoming international WorldSkills visitors and participants with open arms.

On Saturday, August 29, 2009 a Kickoff Concert was held at the downtown Olympic Plaza grounds. Competitors who had settled in at the Competitor Village headed over by train to relax together and enjoy the food, live music, and work of local artisans.

The City of Calgary has planned a cavalcade of special events all in the spirit of WorldSkills Calgary 2009. From September 2-5 (WorldSkills Competition days) you will be able to experience a variety of musical themes, from Hip-Hop to World Music, at the Coca Cola Stage at Stampede Park.

A full schedule can be found here: www.calgary.ca/worldskills