Information, Innovation and Celebration - WorldSkills General Assembly Kingston 2010

By Michelle Turpin, WSPE Coordinator, WSI

Official and Technical Delegates representing Member countries/regions around the world convened for a week of activities in Kingston, Jamaica from October 3-10, 2010. The WorldSkills General Assembly meets once annually to review all technical aspects of WorldSkills Competitions and strategise ways that will advance the skills movement worldwide. Along with the meetings, a celebration of young people took place at the 4th WorldSkills Jamaica National Competition.

As an international organisation with a vision for the future, Delegates shared ideas about the best ways to move forward to ensure education, advocacy and vocational training are in place for the world’s young people who are considering a career in skills, trades and technologies. Technical Delegates met in both plenary and working groups with discussion and work surrounding ways to change or improve the already exceptional WorldSkills Competition.

The Strategy Committee focused on innovative ways to lead WorldSkills forward. The General Assembly closed with some highlights for the participants. The first highlight included a presentation from former Competitors who participated in the WorldSkills Youth Forum (WSYF) who shared their exceptional ideas on how to engage and excite people from different ages and stages about skills.The General Assembly ended and all Delegates were awarded a special parting gift – a 60th Anniversary Book produced by SENAI in Brazil that celebrates the evolution of WorldSkills International.

Honouring the past, launching the future – a successful WorldSkills General Assembly that will be cherished and remembered by all who participated.