The world is coming to Calgary

Just like Olympic athletes, competitors spend countless hours training in the months leading up to the WorldSkills competition. With the help of industry leaders and/or faculty members of secondary schools, colleges or polytechnic institutes, Canadian competitors train through practical experiences and mental conditioning towards achieving success on this global skills, trades and technologies stage.

The ultimate goal of the Skills Movement and the WorldSkills competition is to inspire young people to pursue a career in the skills, trades and technologies areas. It is an opportunity for Canadian youth to observe viable and rewarding career options. About 50,000 students are expected to attend the Sept. 1-7 event at Stampede Park in Calgary. Within the showcased skill categories, competitors will repair vehicles, paint or decorate a home, create computer animations, apply make-up, create culinary masterpieces and complete dozens of other projects related to each category.

It is not only about seeing first-hand, but also trying a trade first-hand. Besides boasting a Global Skills Village, Alberta House and Canada House, this extraordinary event will showcase Skill City, which will house the Try-A-Trade® demonstrations that allow students visiting the event to test drive dozens of trades and technology career options under one roof. These demonstrations were created as an approachable platform for students to try their hand at a trade while connecting with experts from that field.

Admission to the competition is free.

For more information on Alberta’s eight on Team Canada, visit www.skillsalberta.com.

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