Leaders of the global skills movement have set out a vision for a new era of skills to drive global economic growth.

Speaking as WorldSkills London 2011 closed at a glittering Ceremony at The O2, organisers said the event had showed how skills can deliver innovation, economic growth and engage young people.

Chris Humphries, Chair of WorldSkills London 2011, said:

"The young people who have competed in WorldSkills are the very best in the world and we know these Competitors will go on to establish multi-national businesses, develop new products and services and continue to lead their industries – just as their predecessors have done.

"Skills shape our world and we have seen that businesses, politicians as well as teachers and young people realise this. We will only see growth return to our economies through an era of skills and entrepreneurship and that's why we're so delighted that 200,000 visitors have been inspired by new job and career opportunities at WorldSkills London with hundreds of thousands more having a go at new skills around the UK.

"The global response to the Competition online and in the world's media shows that it's not just the young people of the UK that are desperate to explore skills.

"Hundreds of employers have committed to investing in Apprenticeships and training for the future this week and the UK government has announced extra investment in skills and growth at the conference programme. Meanwhile, political leaders from around the UK, Europe and the world have come to London to show their support for skills."

WorldSkills London 2011 has been the biggest event ever to be held at ExCeL London, attracting 200,000 young people in four days and has seen the largest ever number of people travel on London’s Docklands Light Railway in a single day.

As the London organising committee passes on the baton to Leipzig to stage the event in 2013, current UK delegate to WorldSkills International, Simon Bartley takes up the role of global President.

Simon Bartley said:

“To have been elected to the office of President of WorldSkills International at the end of a truly inspirational and successful WorldSkills London 2011 is an honour and a challenge. I will strive to make WorldSkills International the authoritative voice for skills around the world and to ensure that the Competition rises to ever greater heights."

And Chris Humphries added:

"I’ve been delighted to work with Simon as we’ve put together the London event and congratulate him on being elected by his peers to the Presidency of WorldSkills International.”

WorldSkills London 2011 took place from 5-8th October at ExCeL London. Almost 1,000 young people from more than 50 Member countries and regions competed in 46 skill areas including Mobile Robotics, Landscape Gardening, Mechatronics, Cooking, Automobile Technology.

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Complete press release:

 Press Release - Global Skills Chiefs Hail New Era