The World is coming to Canada

Team Canada competing on the Global Stage September 1-7, 2009
As the biggest event of its kind in the world, the WorldSkills Competition hosts more than 900 skilled young people age 17 to 22 from skills, trades and technologies programs in 51 Member regions/countries. These aspiring individuals come together to compete for gold, silver and bronze medals in more than 45 skill categories ranging from bricklaying to web design.

Based on Skills/Compétences Canada’s Canadian Skills Competition, 38 young people from across Canada have been selected and will come together to form Team Canada. Eight young Albertans, all members of Team Canada, competing at WorldSkills Calgary 2009 are: Daniel Reid (Cochrane), Devon DeBoer (Calgary), Craig Spady (Red Deer), Steven Dingwall (Calgary), Tiffany Vandermey (Calgary), Daniel Green (Drumheller), Matthew Chadder (Millarville) and Brad Chyz (Calgary).

Just like Olympic athletes, Competitors spend countless hours training in the months leading up to the WorldSkills Competition. With the help of industry leaders and/or faculty members of secondary schools, colleges or polytechnic institutes, Canadian Competitors train through practical experiences and mental conditioning towards achieving success on this global skills, trades and technologies stage.

The ultimate goal of the WorldSkills Competition is to inspire young people to pursue a career in the skills, trades and technologies areas. It is an opportunity for Canadian youth to observe viable and rewarding career options. More than 60,000 students are expected to attend the event at Stampede Park in Calgary, Alberta. Within the showcased skill categories, Competitors will repair vehicles, create tiled floors, paint or decorate a home interior, create a robot, design and construct clothing, create computer slide shows, apply make-up, create culinary masterpieces and complete dozens of other projects related to each category.

It is not only about seeing first-hand, but also trying a trade first-hand. Besides boasting a Global Skills Village, Alberta House and Canada House, this extraordinary event will showcase Skill City, which will house the Try-A-Trade® demonstrations that allow students visiting the event to test drive dozens of trades and technology career options under one roof. These demonstrations were created as an approachable platform for students to try their hand at a trade while connecting with experts from that field. - Admission to the Competition is free.

For more information on Alberta’s eight on Team Canada, visit www.skillsalberta.com.