FAQ
Q. What is WorldSkills Calgary 2009?
A. Over 900 Competitors will compete simultaneously in 45 skill categories during four days of intense competition at Stampede Park. Hailed as the pinnacle of global skills, trades, and technologies Competition, this biennial event promotes excellence and global competency industry standards. Competitions range from robotics to web design, welding to cooking, and auto-body repair to landscape gardening. This year, Calgary plays host to thousands of Delegates from around the world, including industry leaders, educators, government officials, and educational experts.
Q. When and where is WorldSkills Calgary 2009?
A. The 40th WorldSkills Competition takes place September 1 - 7. Four days of intense competition September 2 - 5 at Stampede Park are flanked by the Opening Ceremony Sept. 1 and Closing Ceremony Sept. 6. WorldSkills Champions will be celebrated during the half-time show at the CFL Labour Day Classic football game at McMahon Stadium Sept. 7.
Q. When can the public and/or media view the events?
A. From September 1 - 7, 2009, the schedule of events is as follows:
One School, One Country (10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.) - Various Schools throughout Calgary
- Presented by EnCanaOpening Ceremony (6 p.m. - 8 p.m.) - Ticketed Event, Stampede Grandstand
- Presented by Samsung
Wednesday, September 2nd
Competition Day 1 (10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.)
Industry Night at the Global Skills Village (5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.) - Private event
Global Skills Marketplace (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.) - Invitation only, Hyatt Regency Hotel
Thursday, September 3rd
Competition Day 2 (10 a.m. - 7 p.m.)
Viewing Hours (9 a.m. - 7 p.m.)
WorldSkills Leader's Forum (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.) - Invitation only, Hyatt Regency Hotel
Industry Night at the Global Skills Village (5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.) - Private event
Friday, September 4th
Competition Day 3 (9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.)
Viewing Hours (9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.)
Industry Night at the Global Skills Village (6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.) - Private event
Saturday, September 5th
Competition Day 4 (9 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
Viewing Hours (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
Sunday, September 6th
Awards and Closing Ceremony (6 p.m. - 8 p.m.) - Ticketed Event at the Stampede Corral
- Presented by Samsung
Monday, September 7th
Celebration of WorldSkills Champions halftime show during the legendary Labour Day Classic football game, Ticketed Event, at McMahon Stadium (5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.)
Q. How much does it cost?
A. It's free admission for the four days of competition on Stampede Park from September 2 - 5. The Opening and Closing Ceremonies, as well as the CFL Labour Day Classic football game and the WorldSkills Leaders Forum are ticketed events.
Q. Who is WorldSkills Calgary 2009 for?
A. WorldSkills Calgary 2009 is geared towards three groups: 1. Youth in school. 2. Young adults ages 17 - 25 who are considering a rewarding career in skills, trades and technologies. 3. Parents, industry leaders, educators and youth influencers.
Q. What are the six sectors of skills, trades, and technologies that are featured?
A. Social and Personal Services, Creative Arts and Fashion, Information and Communication Technology, Manufacturing and Engineering Technology, Construction and Building Technology and Transportation and Logistics.
Q. What are the 45 skills featured at WorldSkills Calgary 2009?
A. • Ladies'/Men's Hairdressing
• Beauty Therapy
• Confectioner/Pastry Cook
• Cooking
• Restaurant Service
• Caring
• Jewellery
• Floristry
• Fashion Technology
• Graphic Design Technology
• IT/Software Applications
• Web Design
• IT PC/Network Support
• Information Network Cabling
• Offset Printing
• Polymechanics/Automation
• Manufacturing Team Challenge
• Mechatronics
• Mechanical Engineer Design - CAD
• Welding
• Electronics
• Mobile Robotics
• Sheet Metal Technology
• CNC Turning
• CNC Milling
• Mould Making
• Aircraft Maintenance
• Construction Metal Works
• Wall and Floor Tiling
• Plumbing and Heating
• Electrical Installations
• Industrial Control
• Bricklaying
• Stonemasonry
• Painting and Decorating
• Cabinetmaking
• Joinery
• Carpentry
• Landscape Gardening
• Refrigeration
• Metal Roofing
• Plastering
• Autobody Repair
• Automotive Technology
• Car Painting
Q. Describe what people can expect to see/experience/etc. at WorldSkills Calgary 2009.
A. WorldSkills Calgary 2009 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the best talent in skills, trades, and technologies up close. The competitions demonstrate hands-on expertise, talent and determination in 45 skill categories. Hundreds of young Competitors from all over the world gather to compete in everything from robotics to web design, welding to cooking and autobody repair to landscape gardening. Many interactive components, including education and career booths, showcase the many promising futures to be found in trades and technology. Visitors will also be able to Try-A-Skill at Stampede Park.
Q. What's the best way to get to the Competition?
A. Parking around Stampede Park is at a premium, so it's best to use the CTrain/public transportation - check out www.calgarytransit.com.
Q. Is WorldSkills Calgary 2009 accessible?
A. Paved pathways and ramps ensure wheelchair access to all buildings. The Big Four has elevator access on the east side through the main entrance. Elevator access to the Grandstand is available at the south tower Grandstand Courtyard. Hearing-impaired telephones are available at all telephone booths throughout the Park.
Q. How many people are expected to visit WorldSkills Calgary 2009?
A. A total attendance of 150,000 is expected.
Q. How big is WorldSkills Calgary 2009?
A. WorldSkills Calgary 2009 will take up 80,000 square metres of space, making it the largest independent event ever hosted on Stampede Park. The number of Competitors is two-thirds the size of those at the 1988 Olympic Winter Games, held in Calgary.
Q. What are the benefits of an event of this magnitude?
A. The event is predicted to bring in $82 million in economic benefits to the City of Calgary. The WorldSkills Calgary 2009 mission is to engage the passion of Canada's young people to pursue skills, trades and technologies as viable and rewarding career options.
In partnership with Skills/Compétences Canada, Skills Canada Alberta, and WorldSkills International, along with many dedicated sponsors, WorldSkills Calgary 2009 contributes to vital economic and social success by perpetrating a global movement that is committed to developing and promoting high performance standards among young professionals within the skills, trades and technology sectors.
Q. How was WorldSkills Calgary 2009 made possible?
A. The bid process was made possible by support from Skills/Competences Canada, Skills Canada Alberta and SAIT Polytechnic, in conjunction with many partners including EnCana, Cisco Systems, PCL Construction, Enerflex, Calgary Airport Authority, Tourism Calgary, Calgary Exhibition and Stampede, and Travel Alberta. The bid was supported by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, and the City of Calgary.
In May 2004, at the WorldSkills General Assembly in Hong Kong, Canada officially won the right to host the 40th WorldSkills Competition. WorldSkills Calgary 2009 Ltd., a not-for-profit organization, was established shortly after the bid was won.
The Competition happens September 1 - 7, 2009, with Competition dates scheduled from September 2 - 5, 2009.
As part of the solution to the skilled labour shortage, WorldSkills Calgary 2009 views the hosting of the WorldSkills Competition as an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of skills development in youth.
Q. Where do the operating funds come from?
A. The $56 million operating budget comes from:
• $24.1 million from the Government of Alberta
• $13.4 million from the Government of Canada
• $11.6 million from sponsorship
• $6.9 million from other revenue
Q. Who are the sponsors of WorldSkills Calgary 2009?
A. Click here to find out.
Q. How successful were previous events?
A.More than 41,000 primary, junior and senior high school students experienced first-hand the 39th WorldSkills Competition in Shizuoka, Japan in 2007. The WorldSkills Competition improved the image of vocational training, skills and trades through committed Competitors and Experts.
Q. Where were previous events held?
A. WorldSkills International began in 1950 in Madrid, Spain due to the great need to encourage youth to pursue careers in the trades. Since then, biennial Competitions have been held all over the world, from Europe to Australia, Japan to the United States.
Q. Where is the next WorldSkills Competition?
A. London, UK in 2011.
Q. What is WorldSkills International?
A. 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.
Q. Where can I get more information?
A. WorldSkills International website: www.worldskills.org
Official WSC09 media website: http://media.worldskills.com
Education website: http://www.worldskills2009education.com/
Our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=51982564234#/pages/WorldSkills-Calgary-2009-Official/78546814224
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ws_calgary_2009
Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/worldskillscalgary2009
