World Skills - Overview

Overview

Governed by an international Board of Directors and administered by the WorldSkills Secretariat, WSI's mission is "...to promote, through the cooperative actions of Members, a world-wide awareness of the essential contribution that skills and high standards of competence make to the achievement of economic success and individual achievement."

Through international competitions held every two years, WSI attempts to raise awareness to the opportunities that exist in skilled professions with the intent of encouraging youth and their parents and teachers to explore career opportunities in skilled trades, skilled professions and high technology.

WorldSkills Calgary 2009 took place from September 1 through September 7, 2009. The event was held at Stampede Park in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. One thousand of the best skilled young people from 50 countries competed in 45 skill areas to determine who was the best of the best. More than 80,000 square meters of space was utilized during the competition and visitors and delegates from around the world occupied 30,000 hotel room nights while visiting Calgary. Richard Walker President and CEO.

The WorldSkills legacy will leave $18 million in new state-of-the art equipment after the event for youth training and education. Finally, WSI and the WorldSkills Calgary Organisation will, through education and youth awareness programs, leave a lasting legacy of awareness to the value of skills training and a career in skilled professions.

Among its main objectives are:

• Promote the exchange between young professionals from various regions of the world;
• Exchange of skills, experience and technological innovations;
• Raise the understanding in governments, education and industry to the importance of skills training.
• Raise the awareness of youth and those who influence youth to the opportunities available in skilled professions.

The young professionals who compete are selected by their respective countries, may only participate once in the WorldSkills Competition, and must be between the ages of 17 and 22 years in the year of competition.

Certificates of Achievement and medals are awarded during the competition: gold, silver and bronze, and certificates of excellence (to competitors who achieved over five hundred points).