8 August 2012
Going for Gold
By Sally Eley, WorldSkills International
Almost a year after London hosted the 41st WorldSkills Competition, the city is once again host to another group of exceptionally skilled people from around the world. As the London 2012 Olympic Games head towards the finish line, hundreds of athletes will be feeling emotions of anticipation, excitement, pride and wonder that the Champions who took part in WorldSkills London 2011 also experienced.
Many parallels can be drawn between the Olympic Games and WorldSkills Competitions. Both events celebrate all that can be achieved through aspiration, excellence and striving to be the best of the best. Both events see countries and regions from around the world come together and share experiences in an adrenaline filled, electrifying environment.
Sabrina Keller from Switzerland won a Gold medal in Restaurant Service at WorldSkills London 2011. Speaking about her recollections of the event she says:
“Watching scenes from the Olympic Games in London brings back some great memories for me of my time during the Competition. I can recall the nerves, excitement and immense joy of winning as if it were yesterday; it was a truly incredible experience and one which I’ll never forget.”
And it is not only the Competitors or athletes taking part who are touched by the experience of being in an international competition. Both events have a unique ability to be able to inspire, motivate and influence future generations for the good of society and personal fulfilment and success.
Following the Olympic Games thousands of onlookers will be influenced to try out a sport they have never considered before just as many of the visitors to WorldSkills London 2011 were inspired to ‘Have a Go’ at a skill they may not have previously considered. 73% of young people who were interviewed at the event agreed with the statement ‘the event made me more interested in pursuing skills-based education’. The challenge is to multiply that effect so that many more people around the world are inspired to take up a skill and improve their career and personal opportunities.
Getting the media on board in helping to spread the word is vital to increasing this multiplier effect, and the last 10 days have seen the world’s media focus on the London Olympics. WorldSkills London 2011 saw record amounts of media coverage and the Leipzig team are working hard to continue to raise the profile of the event and its significance to the broader public. Deutsche Welle, a TV company which broadcasts around the world, have a dedicated page to WorldSkills Leipzig 2013 and have featured the Competition in a recent episode of "Made in Germany".
As the Olympic Games prepares for its Closing Ceremony, the next WorldSkills Competition edges closer and hopeful Competitors from around the world step up their training in readiness to compete for the ultimate accolade of being the best of the best and bringing home that Gold medal. For more information go to www.worldskillsleipzig2013.com.