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WorldSkills Calgary 2009 Spokesperson Launches into Space

July 16, 2009, Calgary, Alberta, Canada - Canadian astronaut Julie Payette blasted into space last night. Payette, who is aboard the space shuttle Endeavour, is a WorldSkills Calgary 2009 official spokesperson.

Payette was chosen as a spokesperson because she embodies the passion and expertise that perpetrates the global skills movement, igniting excitement amongst this year's Competitors. Payette represents the field of technology for WorldSkills Calgary 2009. Several of the 45 Skill Categories represented at the 40th WorldSkills Competition reflect skills, trades, and technologies used in space travel.

Mobile Robotics is a skill category that has obvious parallels to systems used in shuttle expeditions. Competitors in this skill category must assemble, manage and maintain mechanical systems within a mobile robot as well as install, operate, and troubleshoot mobile robot control systems. This technology brings to mind the famous Canadarm (and Canadarm2), a robotic arm that has been used by astronauts on space shuttles since 1981.

Payette also has links to robotics. She worked as a technical advisor for the Mobile Servicing System (MSS), an advanced robotics system contributed by Canada to the International Space Station. During the Endeavour mission, Payette will maneuver three robotic arms during five planned spacewalks. Other skill categories that draw on skills, trades, and technologies used in space travel include Mechanical Engineering, Polymechanics, Mechatronics, and Electronics.

WorldSkills Calgary 2009 President and CEO Richard Walker says, "WorldSkills Calgary 2009 is pleased to have Canadian astronaut Julie Payette as a celebrity spokesperson. She not only represents the technology sector that will be portrayed in the upcoming Competition, but she is an exceptional role-model for Canadian youth." Payette is an encouragement to all Competitors, but has a special appeal for young girls. A strong female role-model is inspiring in a world of traditionally male-dominated skilled professions. Payette's collaboration as a spokesperson for WorldSkills Calgary 2009 is sure to inspire students to reach for the stars.

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 five 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 technologies.

Backgrounder: WorldSkills International

 

WorldSkills International's (WSI) mission is to promote, through the cooperative action of 51 Members countries/regions, a worldwide awareness of the essential contribution that skills and high standards of competence make to the achievement of economic success and personal fulfillment. WSI provides a unique means of exchange and comparison of world-class competency standards in the industrial trades, information technologies and service sectors of the global economy. WSI works at all levels from grassroots to senior policy makers to affect change in training procedures, policy development and international standards. Through advocacy, education and Competitions, WorldSkills International is raising the level of competences throughout the world and bringing new awareness to these crucial sectors in the global economy. Without skills there is no economy.

worldskills.org

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 skills, trades, and technologies competitions through regional, provincial/territorial, national and international events, as well as skills, trades, and technologies 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

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: http://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: http://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: http://www.worldskills.org/

More information is available at www.worldskills2009.com.