One million opportunities to Have a Go

By WorldSkills London 2011

Skills Minister calls for a million learning opportunities across the UK
Skills Minister John Hayes today gave his backing to a campaign to create a million opportunities for people across the UK to learn new skills in 2011.

WorldSkills London 2011 organisers are encouraging schools, colleges and businesses to organise ‘Have a Go’ events that demonstrate the range of skills training opportunities that are on offer to local people.

As part of the official countdown to WorldSkills London 2011, the world’s largest skills Competition, Have a Go is an unprecedented initiative that will allow people to gain hands-on experience in skills – from Autobody Repair to Hairdressing to Landscape Gardening.

The programme also provides 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 nation’s industries and driving sustainable growth.

John Hayes, Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning will launch WorldSkills London 2011 Have a Go at an event at London’s City Hall.

The Minister will launch the programme by trying his hand at Mobile Robotics in the form of giant, remote-controlled, ‘AirPenguins’ from automation technology company Festo, a WorldSkills London 2011 event sponsor and a WorldSkills International Global Industry Partner. Watch a great video of the launch and Mayor Boris Johnson steering an ‘AirPenguin’.

Skills Minister, John Hayes, said:

“Practical skills are as important as academic qualifications. Britain’s success will depend on our ability to create a new generation of world class craftsmen, designers and technicians. Have a Go is an excellent opportunity for people from all walks of life to be inspired by the possibilities of vocational education. I hope every local community hosts an event. The Government’s skills strategy, with more funding for apprenticeships and higher standards for training providers, will help individuals and companies gain the skills they need to succeed.”

Aidan Jones, Executive Director of WorldSkills London 2011 believes that Have a Go will help create a lasting legacy for skills in the UK:

“WorldSkills London 2011 Have a Go is an important opportunity for the UK’s schools, colleges and businesses to engage future generations of skilled workers. Our goal is to inspire people across the UK to explore the endless possibilities that skills have to offer by giving them a first-hand opportunity to try something new. We will create one million Have a Go opportunities across the UK, and are calling on educational institutions and businesses to come on board and help the public be a part of the world’s greatest skills competition and careers event later this year.”

Current planned Have a Go events include: the RHS Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows, the British Touring Car Championship events and UK Skills Competition finals.

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