One Million Opportunities to Have a Go

By WorldSkills London 2011

Skills Minister calls for a million learning opportunities across the UK
On February 28 Skills Minister for England John Hayes and London Mayor Boris Johnson, gave their backing to the WorldSkills London 2011 Have a Go campaign, designed to create a million opportunities for people across the UK, to learn new skills in 2011. WorldSkills London 2011 now wants to take this campaign to a global level.

As part of the official countdown to WorldSkills London 2011, taking place this October, the Have a Go campaign will allow people to gain hands-on experience in all sorts of skills – from Autobody Repair to Hairdressing to Landscape Gardening. The WorldSkills London 2011 Have a Go campaign will culminate in a three-week, UK-wide skills festival from September 19 to October 9.

The campaign will also provide an important opportunity for businesses to introduce a new generation of young adults to the possibilities of a skills-based career, strengthening the future prospects of the United Kingdom’s industries and driving sustainable growth.

The Minister and Mayor launched the programme at London’s prestigious City Hall by trying their hands at Mobile Robotics, using giant, remote-controlled ‘AirPenguins’ from automation technology company Festo, a WorldSkills London 2011 event sponsor and WorldSkills International Global Industry Partner.

Have a Go is applicable to any organisation looking to encourage young people to get involved in vocational education and skills. WorldSkills London 2011 would be interested to hear what is happening in the international community and to find out if any other countries/regions are launching their own Have a Go activities.

Most WorldSkills London 2011 events will be organised and run by schools, colleges, employers and other partner organisations around the UK. To help build the momentum, WorldSkills London 2011 is working with sponsors to deliver a number of showcase Have a Go activities, including events at the world-famous Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows, ten individual British Touring Car Championship events and the UKSkills Competition finals.

Organisations interested in hosting WorldSkills London 2011 ‘Have a Go’ activities are encouraged to download a range of free materials to help them to plan, manage and run activities in their local area by visiting www.worldskillslondon2011.com/haveago.