Monday, September 19, 2011

Stage is set for the world's largest international skills competition


Five students from Ontario will compete for Team Canada at World Skills London 2011



Welcome back friends!  As much as we will miss the warm sunny days of summer, our team at Skills Canada – Ontario is excited for the start of the school year. 

Strange as that may sound, who wouldn’t be excited to cheer on five talented students from Ontario who will be in London, England from 5-8 October representing Team Canada and demonstrating their “skill” on the world stage?  Almost feels like the same infectious excitement that took over Canada when we hosted the Winter Olympics – Oh Canada!

WorldSkills London 2011 will be the world's largest, international skills Competition.  Over 1,000 young people from more than 50 countries/regions will be competing in 46 skill areas.  The ultimate goal for each competitor is to be the best of the best in their chosen contest area.

The five students from Ontario that will be competing for Team Canada are: Jonathan Sinke (Cabinetmaking); Ryan Gomes (Aircraft Maintenance); Tom Middlebro’ (Offset Printing); and, Benjamin Church and Adrian Schut (Mobile Robotics). What an incredible experience this will be for these talented individuals.

I have the privilege of travelling with Team Canada and will be writing a daily blog to share my experience with you.  Stay tuned for updates on our competitors and highlights from this international event which is designed to inspire future generations of skilled, high-quality professionals.

As you are probably well aware, but I think it’s worth repeating often, the mission of Skills Canada – Ontario is to promote careers in the skilled trades and technologies as viable, first-choice career options for young people.  WorldSkills London 2011 is just one of the many great opportunities that young people in Ontario have to explore these exciting and rewarding career opportunities.

The thousands of readers who followed our blog last year got a taste of the award-winning programs and events we coordinate each year.  This year, our readers will still get the same exciting news, plus two new series.  We will be profiling various skilled trade and technological careers, sharing career management tips, and introducing you to past competitors who have gone on to have very successful careers.  I hope you enjoy the new series.

On our Facebook fan page this year we will have some exciting contests.  There will be opportunities for our followers to win an iTunes gift card.

Finally, thank you for being part of our growing online community.  Please feel free to invite others you know (student, parent or teacher) who may want to be part of the excitement and see for themselves that Skills Work!

Gail Smyth,
Executive Director