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For Immediate Release

Innovative "Shell Launch Pads" Welcome Spectators at WorldSkills Calgary 2009

June 11, 2009, Calgary, AB - WorldSkills Calgary 2009 and Shell Canada announced today an innovative addition to their program, the Shell Launch Pads. The Launch Pads welcome spectators while ensuring visitors get a safe and efficient orientation in an organized, designated area. Large tents will be situated at Stampede Park, the host venue of the 40th WorldSkills Competition.

 

"The Shell Launch Pads will provide spectators with the important information they need to get the most out of WorldSkills Calgary 2009," says Richard Walker, President and CEO of WorldSkills Calgary 2009. "Minimizing safety risks and emphasizing precautionary learning is routinely practiced in the trades. The Shell Launch Pads are a way to model that behaviour as part of the event."

When they arrive, spectators will be ushered to a Shell Launch Pad to receive orientation on many of the competitions and attractions, such as the Global Skills Village, Skills Ambassador Kiosks and Try-A-Skill, and watch a brief video highlighting the attractions. Volunteers will greet spectators and provide them with important information and answer questions before entering the competition area and Global Skills Village.

"We're supporting the Shell Launch Pads to help WorldSkills Calgary 2009 engage and excite spectators about careers in the skilled trades," said Catherine Freeman, Senior Social Investment Representative, Shell Canada Limited. "Skilled tradespeople are critical to the success of our industry. There is a great need to attract more apprentices to fill the demand created as tradespeople retire and to help our industry meet its future growth plans."

Through intense competition in 45 skill categories, WorldSkills Calgary 2009 promotes excellence and encourages global competency standards within the skill, trade, and technology industries. WorldSkills Calgary 2009 will welcome the world through the 51 Member countries/regions of WorldSkills International.

Contact Sheet

WorldSkills Calgary 2009
Alesia Fieldberg
Media Relations Coordinator
Direct Line: 01 403 774 5138
Mobile: 01 403 818 6160
Email: alesia.fieldberg@worldskills2009.com
Website: www.worldskills2009.com

 

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
Direct Line: +1 902 450 5412
Fax: +31 23 531 0816
Mobile: +1 902 441 7041
Email: michelle.bussey@worldskills.org
Website: www.worldskills.org

Shell Canada Limited

Catherine Freeman
Senior Social Investment Representative
Direct Line: +1 403 691 2082
Website: www.shell.ca

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 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.

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 (S/CC) was founded in 1989 as a national, not-for-profit organization to actively promote careers in skilled trades and technologies to Canadian youth. S/CC works with private and public sector partners to help secure Canada's future skilled labour needs while helping Canadian youth discover rewarding careers. S/CC offers experiential learning opportunities for hundreds of thousands of young Canadians including skilled trades and technology competitions through regional, provincial/territorial, national and international events, as well as skilled trades and technology awareness programs. Headquartered in Canada's National Capital Region Skills/Compétences Canada is the Canadian Member organization of WorldSkills International and in partnership with other stakeholders created the 40th WorldSkills Competition event organizing committee WorldSkills Calgary 2009.
skillscanada.com