Media Releases
Festo Proudly Partners with WorldSkills Calgary 2009 as Global Founding Sponsor
Thursday, 21 May 2009, Calgary, Alberta, Canada – WorldSkills Calgary 2009 has secured Festo as a Global Founding Sponsor of the 40th WorldSkills Competition, September 1 – 7, 2009 at Calgary Stampede Park. Festo is the official sponsor of the Mechatronics and Mobile Robotics competitions, and is supplying the equipment, as well as, assisting in the Competition organization for those skills categories.
“Generating the support of industry leaders, such as Festo, is essential to WorldSkills Calgary 2009 delivering the most successful Competition to date,” says Richard Walker, President and CEO of WorldSkills Calgary 2009. “We are very appreciative of Festo’s generous support and look forward to working closely with them in conjunction with our dedicated supporters.”
Festo sees its diverse activities as a commitment in the spirit of corporate educational responsibility. “Festo Canada is proud to support WorldSkills Calgary 2009’s Mechatronics and Mobile Robotics competitions and we’re honoured to be a part of WorldSkills Calgary 2009. Excellent education, outstanding skills and international experience of our young people is the fundament we need and where we have to build on.” says Thomas Lichtenberger, President of Festo Inc. “Know-how, engineering and strong innovation are crucial factors for the future competitiveness of the Canadian industry.”
Today, mechatronics is one of the biggest skills represented in the WorldSkills Competition, with approximately 30 Member countries/regions taking part. Mechatronics technicians build engineering systems for the automation industry. The mechatronics category combines skills in mechanics, pneumatics, electronically controlled systems, programming, robotics, and system development. Mechatronics technicians design, build, maintain, and repair automated equipment and program equipment control systems. The Mechatronics competition was first held in 1991 with only two countries participating.
Mobile Robotics Technicians assemble, set-up, manage and maintain mechanical systems within a mobile robot as well as install, operate and trouble shoot mobile robot control systems. The robotics category combines skill requirements including: carrying out mobile robot system design, assembling a mobile robot according to manufacturer’s documentation and commissioning a mobile robot to carry out its correct function to solve a series of practical operational problems.
Promoting young apprentices and generating enthusiasm for technology is important to Festo. “Education, innovation and technology are the key factors for further expanding our technological peak performance. Festo supports top performance in the areas of training and international educational standards by means of national and international projects such as Skills Germany and WorldSkills Mechatronics”, explains Dr. Eberhard Veit, chairman of the Management board at Festo AG.
Through intense competition in 45 skill categories, WorldSkills Calgary 2009 promotes excellence and global competency standards within the skills, trades, and technology industries. WorldSkills Calgary 2009 welcomes the world through the 51 Member countries/regions of WorldSkills International.
WorldSkills International (WSI) was established in 1953 and has come to symbolize the pinnacle of excellence in vocational education and training. WSI operates worldwide and is politically and denominationally neutral. The aim of WSI is to raise the status and standards of vocational skills and training worldwide.
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.
