Media Releases
Recommended Events, Activities and Competitions for Day Four, Saturday, September 5, 2009
CALGARY, September 5, 2009 -- The final competition day of the 40th WorldSkills Competition in Calgary, Alberta, Canada is proceeding with 900 of the best skills, trade and technologies professionals under the age of 23 "going for the gold." This major international Competition is inspiring 50,000 Alberta student spectators visiting the event to expand their thinking about career options. The Competitors have come together in Calgary from 51 Member countries/regions to compete against each other in 45 skill categories.
WHAT: Competition Day Four
September 5th features the completion and judging of the competitive events. Expect tension in the air as many Competitors work feverishly to finish their projects.
- Where: Stampede Park
- Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Filming/photography welcome in designated areas
Media requests for Competitor interviews must be coordinated through the Team Leader for each country/region. Details available through the media centre.
Some of the more visually interesting competitions on this final day include:
Manufacturing Team Challenge Skill #3 - Competitors are focusing on renewable energy and sustainability with two sub-projects - a solar tracker and power generation. Tracking tests will be performed in a black booth with hot lights which the audience can view on a big screen. Testing the second project will employ movements by a swim team on exercise equipment.
- When: The best viewing times are first thing in the morning and at the end of the afternoon.
- Where: BMO Centre, Hall B
CNC Turning Skill #6 - This skill is running a fun challenge - All Countries, One Nation - making chess pieces. It's not part of the competition but has a very interesting "why" to it-it gives the Competitors from 23 countries/regions, with different languages and cultures, a chance to work together as partners and establish friendships. They get to have fun with their skill, without the stress of competition. As soon as a chess figure is finished, the Team Leader will run and place it on their chess board in a visible location for audience and media.
- Time: 9 a.m. to noon
- Where: BMO Centre, Hall B
Welding Skill #10 - In the morning, pressure testing will take place to see if the vessels competitors are making are water tight.
- When: morning
- Where: Skills Tent 3
Wall and Floor Tiling Skill #12 - Competitors are laying the floor and wall tiles to finish the intricate design projects of a Canadian flag and a football helmet. Competitors' stress will be high because they can see how far ahead the other team is, or not.
- When: all day
- Where: Big Four, basement
Electrical Installations Skill #18 - Competitors are commissioning their module 3 which allows them to use materials from their own country/region...this gives the audience a chance to compare materials and work practices from all the participating countries.
- When: all day
- Where: Skills Test 2
Paint and Decorating Skill #22 - Throughout competition, layers have been added to the Competitors' custom ‘faux finish' projects which they are finishing and presenting today.
- Where: Big Four, basement
Mobile Robotics Skill #23 - Competitors have been adding to the robots since Day 1. The robots will be in action on the Robots' Court. Bleachers are set up for viewing.
- When: between 10:30 a.m. to end of day. Robots' Court from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Where: Big Four, basement
Floristry Skill #28 - There will be a surprise task given to Competitors at 9 a.m. today. Floral displays will be ready to view.
- When: between 9 a.m. and end of day
- Where: BMO Hall AM
Fashion Technology Skill #31 - Late yesterday Competitors got a ‘black box' containing various bits of beads, feathers, etc. with which to decorate the bustier of their gowns today and complete their wedding gown.
- Where: BMO Hall B
Confectioner/Pastry Cook Skill #32 - Today's challenge will be free form, large chocolate centrepieces which will be presented with yesterday's ‘gateau'.
- When: just before 1 p.m.
- Where: BMO Hall E
Landscape Gardening Skill #37- Competitors will lay the soil and sod, plant the trees and flowers on a base of stone work, a retaining wall and bridge completed in the previous days. Competitors are expected to be under significant time stress towards the finish, especially since their fellow competitors will be in full view.
- Where: Skills Tent 1A
Sheet Metal Technology Skill #HM01 - Competitors have been creating an outdoor heater which will be donated after WSC2009...all the parts they have been making are put together in the last three hours.
- Where: Skills Tent 3
Caring Skill #41 - Each Team competes for 20 minutes on a caregiving challenge e.g., showing the person receiving care how to use an inhaler.
- Where: Grandstand, 2nd floor
Cooking Skill #34- Competitors prepare a hot fish dish at 9:30 a.m., finger food at 1:15 p.m. and a mini dessert at 4:15 p.m.
- Where: BMO Centre, Hall E
WHAT: Try-A-Skill @ Skill City
Try-A-Skill @ Skill City continues in the Skill City tent near the Stampede Grandstand. Visitors can try the many skills of the competition. Come down to develop an appreciation for professionals working in skills, trades or technologies.
- Where: Stampede Park - Skill City Tent
- Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Filming/photography welcome
WHAT: Alberta House
Alberta House is an interactive exhibit showcasing skills, trades and technology opportunities in Alberta. At 10 a.m. daily, young inventors will demonstrate their work. September 5th features a demonstration by Calgary hobby mechanic, David Milan, 22 who will demonstrate his compact film gear.
- Where: Alberta House is attached to the trade show area called Global Skills Village
- Time: 10 a.m. (5 minutes)
WHAT: City of Calgary Cultural Celebration Spectacular
Once Stampede Park goes quiet, the fun continues downtown for the grand finale to the City's WorldSkills cultural program. This carnival themed concert features high-flying aerial acts, jugglers, street performers, percussion shows and music from around the world.
- Where: Main stage, Olympic Plaza
- Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Filming/photography welcome
Media Centre: The Media Centre located at Stampede Park in the Agriculture Building offers equipment and staff resources to enable accredited media to cover these and other stories effectively and efficiently.
- Daily briefings take place at 9:30 a.m. MST
- Daily competition results by 12:00 a.m. MST
Off-site media are also encouraged to tap into the resources offered either virtually ‘on line' or by contacting the Media Centre directly at 403-617-4798.
Broadcast Quality B-Roll Available at 3:00 MT daily:
Go to www.newswire.com and select WorldSkills Calgary 2009 and follow the prompts to register to receive a password in order to download the material.
For more information, please contact:
Karissa Boley, WorldSkills Media Centre, Phone: 403-988-2888
Laurie Stretch, WorldSkills Media Centre, Phone: 403-617-4798
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, Calgary officially won the right to host the WorldSkills Competition. The successful bid was made possible through collaboration with WorldSkills International's Canadian Member organization Skills/Compétences Canada and industry, educational institutions, government and the City of Calgary. WorldSkills Calgary 2009, a not-for-profit corporation is responsible for the planning, execution and legacy for the 40th WorldSkills Competition.
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.
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.
