Team Canada’s Great 38 ready to take stage at WorldSkills

Skills Canada, a national not-for-profit organization that actively promotes careers in skilled trades, has announced that Team Canada, also known as the “Great 38” – along with trainers, industry experts and delegates – is making its way to Calgary this week to participate in the 40th WorldSkills Competition, which takes place from September 1 to 7, 2009.

Team Canada will compete against more than 900 Competitors from 51 WorldSkills International Member countries/regions in Olympic-style team and individual competitions within specialized skilled trade and technology categories.

“We are very proud of the hard work and training Team Canada has undertaken over the last year,” said Shaun Thorson, executive director of Skills/Compétences Canada. “They are confident and prepared to compete alongside the best skilled trade and technology students and apprentices from around the world. With support and encouragement from the Government of Canada, industry leaders and educators, these talented young individuals represent the future of Canada’s skilled trade and technology workforce, and we couldn’t be more proud.”

This will be Canada’s tenth participation in a WorldSkills Competition, which takes place every two years and brings together the world’s brightest in skilled trades and technology. This is the largest team Canada has sent, with 38 competitors in the Competition. The Team Canada members will participate in 35 of the 45 skills categories. At the last WorldSkills Competition, held in Japan in 2008, Canada won six medals, eight international competency certificates and the Albert Vidal Award for the Competitor that achieves the overall highest score out of all Competitors in all skill categories.

“Our Government encourages those considering a career in the skilled trades by providing Apprenticeship Grants for eligible apprentices,” said Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. “Team Canada and their fellow competitors at WorldSkills Calgary 2009 represent the future. Our country needs to prepare now for an economic recovery and the increasing skills shortages that are expected to come with it.”