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For Immediate Release

Samsung Signs Sponsorship Agreement with WorldSkills Calgary 2009

Friday, 05 June 2009, Calgary, Alberta, Canada – WorldSkills Calgary 2009 secured

Samsung as a Founding Sponsor for the 40^th WorldSkills Competition, taking place in Calgary, Alberta September 1-7, 2009. The agreement was finalized this week in Seoul, Korea by Richard Walker, President and CEO of WorldSkills Calgary 2009 Ltd. and Dr. Ji Oh Song, President of Samsung Electronics Mechatronics & Manufacturing Technology Centre. Samsung is providing the visual equipment for the Competition, ranging from LCD monitors to projectors, and they are also the Presenting Sponsor of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

“Samsung is a global leader in the technology industry and having them as a Founding Sponsor is extraordinarily beneficial to WorldSkills Calgary 2009,” says Richard Walker, President and CEO of WorldSkills Calgary 2009. “We appreciate Samsung’s support of our event. But, their investment in youth and education really speaks to their understanding of the greater global movement that WorldSkills Calgary 2009 is a part of.” Recognized as a global leader in innovative technology, Samsung craftsmanship represents the quality of work that will be demonstrated at WorldSkills Calgary 2009 by the Competitors taking part in the intense four-day head-to-head Competition.

Presented by Samsung, the Opening Ceremony officially welcomes the world to Calgary. Among those in attendance: Competitors, Delegates, government officials, global and local sponsors, students and spectators to WorldSkills Calgary 2009. Around 12,500 participants are expected to attend the event at the Grandstand in Stampede Park. The Opening Ceremony will showcase WorldSkills International’s 51 Member countries/regions with a Parade of Nations presenting Competitors from every competing country/region. Special guests including President and Chairman of WorldSkills International, Jack Dusseldorp, will be present at the event. The Opening Ceremony is especially thrilling because it will be the first event to bring participants and Delegates together before the Competition commences.

The Closing Ceremony hosts 7,500 spectators at the Corral on Stampede Park, and will be the final event to bring participants together before WorldSkills Calgary 2009 concludes.

As a Global Industry Partner with WorldSkills International and a Founding Sponsor for WorldSkills Calgary 2009, Samsung’s sponsorship contribution is essential to the operations and success of WorldSkills Calgary 2009. Samsung strives to maintain a steadfast focus on maintaining its organization, on continuing to be a global technology leader, and trusted, responsible company. A primary focus of Samsung’s academics and education programs is strengthening the minds and fostering the creativity of young people. WorldSkills Calgary 2009 will build upon this focus through its education programs which motivate youth to explore successful career options in skills, trades, and technology.

Backgrounder

WorldSkills Calgary 2009

WorldSkills Calgary 2009 marks the second time Canada hosts this international event in its 59-year history. In May 2004, at the WorldSkills General Assembly in Hong Kong, Canada officially won the right to host the 40^th WorldSkills Competition. The successful bid was made possible through collaboration with Skills Canada Alberta and Skills/Compétences Canada. Shortly thereafter, WorldSkills Calgary 2009, a not-for-profit organization, was established.

For the past 5 years, WorldSkills Calgary 2009 has been working closely with legacy, government, and industry partners to make the 40th WorldSkills Competition the most successful to date. Although the event is held from September 1 – 7, 2009, WorldSkills Calgary 2009 has been working with legacy partners to actively help the global skills movement that addresses labour shortage, competency standards, and education programs designed to motivate and encourage young adults to explore successful career options in skills, trades, and technology.

worldskills2009.com

Backgrounder

WorldSkills International

WorldSkills International’s mission is to promote, through the cooperative action of Members, a worldwide awareness of the essential contribution that skills and high standards of competence make to the achievement of economic success and personal fulfillment. WorldSkills International’s principal activity is organizing the WorldSkills Competition in a different Member country/region every two years. These Competitions bring the best young professionals from trades, service and vocational programs from around the world to showcase their talents and ability at the WorldSkills Competition.

worldskills.org

Backgrounder

Skills/Compétences Canada

Skills/Compétences Canada was founded in 1989 as a national, not-for-profit organization that works with employers, educators, labour groups and governments to promote skilled trades and technology careers among Canadian youth.

Its unique position among private and public sector partners enables it to work toward securing Canada’s future skilled labour needs while helping young people discover rewarding careers.

Skills/Compétences Canada offers experiential learning opportunities including skilled trades and technology competitions for hundreds of thousands of young Canadians through regional, provincial/territorial, national and international events, as well as, skilled trades awareness programs. Headquartered in Gatineau, Quebec, Skills/Compétences Canada is the Canadian Member organization of WorldSkills International and the official legacy partner of WorldSkills Calgary 2009.

skillscanada.com

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.

Contact Sheet

WorldSkills Calgary 2009 Ltd.

Skills/Compétences Canada

Christianne Scholfield

Director Pan-Canadian Partnership Development

Direct Line: 01 819 771 7545 ext. 1

Fax: 01 819 771 5575

Toll Free: 1 877 754 5226

Website: www.skillscanada.com

WorldSkills International

Michelle Bussey

Secretariat - Communications and Marketing Director