Media Releases
Anticipation Builds with 150 Days to WorldSkills Calgary 2009
April 3, 2009, Calgary, Alberta Canada - Over 900 Competitors from 51 countries have their sights set on Calgary for WorldSkills Calgary 2009. Hailed as the Olympics of skills, trade, and technology, Competitors are looking to make a name for themselves as they embark on their lucrative and innovative careers. April 3, 2009 marks 150 days to being in the international spotlight once again with WorldSkills Calgary 2009.
The September 1 – 7, 2009 event showcases competition in 45 skill categories. Spectators can get an up-close-andpersonal look at everything from Autobody Repair and Aircraft Maintenance to Landscape Gardening and Fashion Technology. “From an education and career opportunity perspective, it provides people, especially young adults, the opportunity to see the challenge and reward of developing a product, whether it’s an innovative graphic design that sets a new standard or a fresh look off the runway,” says Richard Walker, President and CEO of WorldSkills Calgary 2009.
Walker also notes the importance of support from the local and global community. Sponsors spanning the globe have been instrumental in making WorldSkills Calgary 2009 possible. WorldSkills Calgary 2009 is pleased to make the following sponsorship announcement recognizing all current Gold Sponsor Partners: Official Sponsors include CNW Group, Alberta Regional Council of Carpenters and Allied Workers, Sheet Metal Workers International Association, Brewster Inc., Electrical Contractors Association of Alberta and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 424. Official Suppliers include Calgary and Airdrie Ford Dealers, DuPont Refinish, Menzies Printers, Miller Electric, France Laure, and Legrand.
About WorldSkills Calgary 2009
WorldSkills Calgary 2009 is a not-for-profit organization that was established to plan and host the 40th WorldSkills Competition in September 2009. The Competition will take place from September 1-7, 2009, at Calgary’s Stampede Park. 900 competitors from 51 member countries/regions will compete in 45 different skills competitions. The organization's mission is to engage the passion of Canada's young people to pursue trades and technology as viable and rewarding career options. Nearly 150,000 spectators and 5,000 experts, delegates and judges from around the world will attend the competition. It will require 800,000 square feet of space at Stampede Park. The competitors are accommodated at the first ever Competitors' Village located at SAIT Polytechnic.
About World Skills International
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 that 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, is leading the event coordination with support from WorldSkills International, Skills/Compétences Canada, and Skills Canada Alberta.
