41st World Skills Competition - Team Canada

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Skills/Compétences Canada: Canada's Top Skilled Trade and Technology Students Go for Gold at WorldSkills London 2011, October 5-8 LONDON, UK, Oct. 5, 2011 /CNW/ - Skills/Compétences Canada, a national not-for-profit organization that actively promotes careers in skilled trades, today announced that Team Canada, is ready to take on the best in the world as the first day of the 41st WorldSkills Competition gets underway.

Team Canada will compete against more than 1,000 Competitors from 51 WorldSkills International Member countries/regions in Olympic-style team and individual competitions within specialized skilled trade and technology categories, from October 5 to 8, 2011 in London.

"We are exceptionally proud of the hard work and training Team Canada has undertaken in the months leading up to WorldSkills London 2011," said Shaun Thorson, Chief Executive Officer, Skills/Compétences Canada. "With support and encouragement from the Government of Canada, industry leaders and educators, these talented young individuals, who represent the future of Canada's skilled trade and technology workforce, are prepared to compete alongside the best of the best from around the world. We couldn't be more proud.

"This will be Canada's eleventh participation in a WorldSkills Competition, which takes place every two years and brings together the world's brightest in skilled trades and technology. Team Canada will participate in 32 of the 46 skills categories. At the last WorldSkills Competition, held in Calgary in 2009, Canada won 8 medals, 13 medallions of excellence , with Team Canada ranking 5th in total medal points.

Mike Holmes, Canada's most trusted contractor and official spokesperson for Skills/Compétences Canada, will be participating in several activities at the WorldSkills London 2011 Competition. A long supporter of Skills/Compétences Canada and the skilled trade movement, he will focus attention on the important role that youth in the skilled trades and technologies have on the economic future of Canada.

Team Canada is made up of 34 competitors representing various regions and educational institutions from across the country. These talented young people, ranging in age from 17 to 22, are participating in the WorldSkills competition to showcase and benchmark their talents against the best in the world, as they ready to launch their new careers. Before heading into the WorldSkills 2011 competition, the following members of Team Canada provided their thoughts on the upcoming competition:

· "I am confident that I can tackle any challenge that arises at WorldSkills London 2011. There is a challenge inherent in every competition and it is always a surprise. I look forward to surpassing my personal best." Gabriel Therien, Team Canada 2011, Mechatronics.

· "I excel under pressure and I've honed my skills where I am able to work with speed and accuracy, I am looking forward to competing with the best at WorldSkills London 2011." Maxime Piche, Team Canada 2011, Plumbing and Heating

· "I'm a natural performer and always up for the stress and challenge of competition. I'm looking forward to competing at WorldSkills London 2011." Benjamin Church, Team Canada 2011, Mobile Robotics

· "I want to see how well I can do against the best cabinetmakers in the world!" Jonathan Sinke, Team Canada 2011, Cabinet Making

About Skills/Compétences Canada Skills/Compétences Canada was founded in 1989 as a national, not‐for‐profit organization that works with employers, educators, labour groups and governments to promote skilled trades and technology careers among Canadian youth. Its unique position among private and public sector partners enables it to work toward securing Canada's future skilled labour needs while helping young people discover rewarding careers. Skills/Compétences Canada offers experiential learning opportunities including skilled trades and technology competitions for hundreds of thousands of young Canadians through regional, provincial/territorial, national and international events, as well as skilled trades awareness programs. Headquartered in Gatineau, Quebec, Skills/Compétences Canada is the Canadian Member organization of WorldSkills International. For more information, visit www.skillscanada.com or call 877-754-5226. For more information on WorldSkills London 2011, visit www.worldskillslondon2011.com.