WorldSkills Update 17 February 2011

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Editorial: By Christine Scoot, Marketing & Project Coordinator, WSI

In this edition of the WorldSkills Update we have many exciting things to share with you from the first weeks of the year. Three National Competitions have been held within the first 6 weeks of 2011:

• WorldSkills Singapore 2011 was held in January and who will compete for Team Singapore at WorldSkills London 2011 was decided. As a first, WorldSkills Singapore had engaged a group of student bloggers to report from their Competition.
  
  
• The first ever Danish National Competition was held at the end of January. WorldSkills International’s President Elect, Simon Bartley was there to open the Competition. Team Denmark has been selected for the 41st WorldSkills Competition.
  
  
• Finally the 41st WorldSkills France National Competition was held in Paris at the beginning of February. Many international Experts, Competitors and Delegates attended as a training and skills development opportunity. Team France has now been selected for WorldSkills London 2011.

An important part of WorldSkills International’s (WSI) strategy is to bring a number of people together for working group meetings. These groups consist of Member representatives, Global Industry Partners, Regional Competition personnel and Host Organising Committees. WSI and WorldSkills Singapore hosted a Technical Working Group during WorldSkills Singapore 2011. WSI and WorldSkills London 2011 hosted a Marketing and Communications Working Group in the WorldSkills London 2011 offices. As well a Team Leader Working Group was held close to ExCeL London where the group ‘lived like a Competitor’ during their stay.

Scroll down to read more about these events and initiatives.

News from WorldSkills International

Marketing and Communications
Working Group in London, February 2011

By Michelle Bussey, Communications and Marketing Director, WSI

At the beginning of February WorldSkills International (WSI) and WorldSkills London 2011 hosted the inaugural Marketing and Communications Working Group (MCWG) in London. An invitation was put out to all Members, Partners and Regional Organisations to participate in the MCWG. Seven Members, one Regional organisation, one Global Industry Partner and the next two Host organisations for the WorldSkills Competition (WSC) answered the call. During the three days of meetings the group shared best practices, updated each other on current plans and strategies, visited the site of the WSC2011 – ExCeL London, and gave input into the future of WSI’s and the WSC’s marketing and communication initiatives.

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Preparing for the BEST WorldSkills Competition EVER in London

By Pia Hegner, Technical Delegate for Denmark and
Jury President of Team Leaders

I have just returned from a working group with eight Team Leaders (TL), representatives from WSI and the WorldSkills London 2011 Operations team, lead by Ross Maloney. In four days we covered every aspect of the Competitor experience and I must say I am deeply impressed.

Since 2001, we have tried to get the TLs more involved at the preparation stage and this time it has been taken to a completely new dimension. All Host Organising Committees have learned from previous experiences and now we are beginning to see the results of this legacy being passed on. TLs are being recognised as very valuable experts in the wellbeing of their teams and this is yet another important step forward.

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News from around the world

My Skills, My Pride

By WorldSkills Singapore

Beaming with pride, some fighting back tears, the winners of WorldSkills Singapore 2011 were crowned at the Closing Ceremony on January 26, 2011 after three days of intense competition. The excitement and joy of the finalists and the pride of their family members, friends and coaches were all too evident as the winners strode to the stage to take their place among the winners.

This year’s National Competition, held from January 20-22, 2011, celebrates skills excellence and encourages Competitors to take pride in their skills. Themed ‘My Skills, My Pride’, the Competition would decide who would have the honour of representing the nation at the 41st WorldSkills Competition in London this October.

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The best Danes won

By Christine Scoot, Marketing and Project Coordinator, WSI

Governor of the Danish National Bank, Nils Bernstein handed out diplomas and statuettes to the winners at the Closing Ceremony of the Danish Nationals on January 29, 2011.

Nils Bernstein said: 'I am very interested in skills and aim to support the recruitment of more young people in Vocation Education and Training (VET). This in turn will result in higher skilled workers in Denmark.'

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The 41st Olympiades des Métiers in Paris

By WorldSkills International

The 41st WorldSkills France National Competition was held at Porte de Versailles in the heart of Paris, France. The Competitors raced through the final day finishing the last details of their test projects.

It’s estimated that 100,000 visitors have walked through the glass doors of the Competition venue. The visitors have observed 750 Competitors competing in 48 skill areas spread out over 50,000m2. The Competition floor offered numerous options for obtaining more information about career opportunities and advice in skilled trades and technologies.

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Competitors gauge the level of competition internationally

By Skills/Compétences Canada

English
The 35 WorldSkills Team Canada Competitors were selected at the Skills Canada National Competition in May 2010 and have been on a strategic training schedule since their candidacy was announced. These are the individuals that will compete in London at the 41st WorldSkills Competition this coming October.

French
Des concurrents d'Équipe Canada jaugent la concurrence internationale Les 35 membres d'Équipe Canada ont été choisis aux Olympiades canadiennes des métiers et des technologies en mai 2010. Depuis, ils suivent tous et toutes un rigoureux programme d'entraînement stratégique.

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Upcoming WorldSkills events

Do you have events that you want to see here, send them to ellen.coppens@worldskills.org.