Media Releases
WorldSkills Calgary 2009 receives major funding support and announces honorary spokesperson
Calgary, Alberta – WorldSkills Calgary 2009 received a major boost today as Premier Ed Stelmach announced $24 million of funding support to help organize and stage the 40th WorldSkills Competition, taking place in Calgary from September 1 - 7, 2009.
"We are pleased that the Alberta Government has taken a significant role in WorldSkills Calgary 2009," said Guy Mallabone, Chair of WorldSkills Calgary 2009. "The WorldSkills Competition has come to symbolize the pinnacle of excellence in skilled trades and technologies training. The eyes of the world will be on Calgary, Alberta as we provide the international stage for the competition."
In addition to Premier Stelmach's funding announcement, Mike Holmes - Canada's Most Trusted Contractor - was introduced as the Honorary Spokesperson for the Competition. Holmes on Homes has been the #1 show on HGTV Canada since the summer of 2004, and also airs in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Germany.
"I am very pleased to partner with WorldSkills Calgary 2009," remarked Holmes. "If you're going to do something, do it right the first time. My motto is 'Make it Right,' which matches very nicely with the mission and values of WorldSkills Calgary 2009."
"We are honoured that Mike will be an integral component of our promotion program," said Richard Walker, President and CEO of WorldSkills Calgary 2009.
In his role as Honorary Spokesperson, Holmes will appear in television public service announcements and print promotional materials, as well as attend the competition.
More than 900 Competitors representing 51 countries/regions are expected to compete in 45 skills and technologies events during WorldSkills Calgary 2009. The competition will use all the available space at Stampede Park - 193 acres with 80,000 square metres of competition space. It is estimated that 930 jobs will be created and that the net economic impact of the competition will be in excess of $82 million.
Backgrounder
About WorldSkills Calgary 2009
- WorldSkills Calgary 2009 Ltd. 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, to be held at Calgary Stampede Park.
- 900 competitors from 51 Member countries/regions (representing 20 languages) will be participating.
- The organization's mission is to engage the passion of Canada's young people to pursue the trades and technology as viable and rewarding career options.
- Nearly 150,000 spectators and 2,500 experts, delegates and judges from around the world will attend the competition.
- It will require 80,000 square metres of space at Stampede Park.
- The competitors will be housed and fed at the first ever Competitors' village located at SAIT Polytechnic.
- Operating budget is estimated to be $55 million.
About the WorldSkills Competition
- The first competition was held in 1950 in Madrid, Spain. Canada last hosted the WorldSkills Competition in Montréal in 1999 at the Olympic Stadium.
- Every two years, over 900 competitors from 51 Member countries/regions gather to compete in over 45 skill categories ranging from welding, cooking, autobody repair and landscape gardening to beauty care and web design.
- The competition attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors including public policy makers, government representatives, employers, teachers, trainers and experts from around the world.
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.
