Hot off the press

By Sally Eley, WorldSkills International 

Those involved in skills competitions at any level – regional, national, or international, recognize the value of competitions in promoting technical and vocational skills and celebrating the excellence of all involved in these events. Now, the world can read about the Dutch experience: their involvement, their findings, and their commitment to participate in skills competitions.

A Dutch publication celebrating and charting the Netherlands 50 year history of being involved in International skills competitions has found that there has been a ‘consistent need’ to promote technical and vocational skills since 1962 and demonstrates the value of skills competitions in achieving this goal.

Those involved in skills competitions at any level – regional, national, or international, recognize the value of competitions in promoting technical and vocational skills and celebrating the excellence of all involved in these events.

Now, the world can read about the Dutch experience: their involvement, their findings, and their commitment to participate in skills competitions. A Dutch publication celebrating and charting the Netherlands 50 year history of being involved in International skills competitions has found that there has been a ‘consistent need’ to promote technical and vocational skills since 1962 and demonstrates the value of skills competitions in achieving this goal.

Jos de Goey, Chief Executive of Skills Netherlands, President of WorldSkills Europe and Chair of the WorldSkills International Strategy Committee explains:

“Our original intention was to track the development of our involvement in international skills competitions over the past five decades and to create a memoir for our stakeholders. However, as we put the research together we were struck by two things. The first is that in 1962 people were saying there has never been a more appropriate time to promote vocational skills and in 2012 the message is equally relevant.

The second is that skills competitions have stood the test of time in proving to be a valuable tool in promoting vocational and technical skills. We are delighted with the feedback we have received since it was published and have found that the book has been very well received by the media and has generated a lot of interest in the value of skills competitions.”

David Hoey, Chief Executive of WorldSkills International commented:

“Going for Gold is a great publication and there is no doubt that the passion, dedication, enthusiasm and inspiration which comes from being involved in competitions comes across in this book. It is encouraging to see recognition of the true value that international skills competitions bring to a country and its economy and I commend Skills Netherlands for taking the initiative and pulling this research together.”