By Debra Stark, WorldSkills Calgary 2009

Team Netherlands visits a Japanese school at the WSC2007

The One School, One Country program will give young students in Calgary the opportunity to learn about other countries’ values, traditions and cultures, providing students a look to their future and the possibility of a career in skilled trades or technologies. One School, One Country is designed to be a program that teaches international awareness to youth. WorldSkills Calgary 2009 wants to encourage creativity and ownership for each individual elementary school so they have the flexibility to adapt their curricular program.

WorldSkills Calgary 2009 is working closely with the Calgary Board of Education and the Calgary Roman Catholic Separate School District to include their elementary and middle schools with this unique project. Between these two school districts, we have a total of 238 elementary/middle schools who will have an opportunity to learn about WorldSkills. Both boards are adapting their school curriculum so students will be taught about the WorldSkills International Member countries/regions and about the 45 skill categories. It is very exciting to see that our Calgary schools are looking forward to learning about WorldSkills and we trust the experience will be memorable for both the students and the competitors. 

Courtney Barton from Team Australia with a student

Through our education website (www.worldskills2009education.com), there will be a variety of resources available for teachers to use as they wish. Each download will also suggest the appropriate age group to which it should be directed. The resources are meant to be used as a guide or as suggestions to use in the classroom. One School, One Country will educate Calgary’s youth about international awareness, the need and importance of skilled trades and technologies and provide a memorable experience for the WorldSkills Competitors.

For more information please visit: www.worldskills2009.com