Media Releases
WorldSkills Calgary 2009 Gets International Governing Body Review
Calgary, Alberta – In preparation for WorldSkills Calgary 2009, Mr. David Hoey, CEO of the governing body of WSC competitions will be visiting Calgary the week of January 19th to assess the 2-year preparations. Mr. Hoey is responsible for insuring that Calgary is ready in September to welcome 51 countries/regions and 900 world-class Competitors to this WorldSkills Competition, which is a skills, trades, and technologies Competition, staged at Stampede Park.
Richard Walker, President and CEO of WorldSkills Calgary 2009, says "We are elated that Calgary has this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to host world-class competitors in skills, trades and technologies. As the IOC monitors preparations for the Vancouver Olympics, Mr. Hoey and his team of experts will be monitoring Calgary's preparedness for the International "Skills Olympics".
"International competitions have raised the bar in respect to the way skills, trades and technologies are presented", states Mr. Walker, "This world-class event includes extensive involvement of our youth, educational institutions, corporations and industry officials. Japan and Finland has hosted this event in recent years -- and following Calgary this year, the competition moves on to London, England in 2011. There will be a lot of pressure on London to match the impact of the International WorldSkills Competition in Calgary."
More about WorldSkills
WorldSkills is a not-for-profit Membership Association open to agencies or bodies who feel a responsibility to promote vocational education and training. WorldSkills is politically and denominationally neutral. It is an International competition that provides a unique means of exchange and comparison of world-class competency standards in industry trades, skills and technology of the economy. The continued growth of WorldSkills is a testimony to the fact tat traditional trades, craft skills and newer technology multi-skilled vocations provides an essential and significant contribution to the economic and social well being of people world-wide. WorldSkills provides a cost effective means for international government and industry cooperation in achieving the higher standards and status of vocational education and training on a worldwide basis.
The 40th WorldSkills Competition is coming to Calgary, Alberta, Canada from September 1 – 7, 2009. The organizing committee, WorldSkills Calgary 2009 Ltd., is leading the event coordination with support from WorldSkills International, Skills/Compétences Canada, and Skills Canada Alberta.
For more information contact Karen Parmiter, Communications and Media Relations Manager, WorldSkills Calgary 2009, 403-774-5018 or email karen.parmiter@worldskills2009.com.
