Construction National

It’s battle stations at WorldSkills 2011

WorldSkills London 2011 attracted more than 200,000 young people over four days, who watched competitors using professional hand tools and power tool accessories provided by Irwin Tools, one of the main sponsors.

WorldSkills International is the world’s largest international skills-based competition. This year’s event took place at ExCel London from 4th – 9th October 2011, and featured more than 1000 competitors from 52 countries around the world.

Sectors covered included Construction and Building, Automotive, Engineering and Manufacturing Process, ICT and Creative Arts & Fashion. As part of the sponsorship, Irwin provided a varied selection of tools to be used in the events, including vices, clamps, saws, drill bits and utliity knives and blades.

Korea scooped the top prize of Albert Vidal Award, which is awarded at each WorldSkills Competition to the competitor who achieves the highest overall score in all competition areas. There were also a number of outstanding performances from the UK, which saw the team finish sixth overall. In the Construction and Building Arena, the UK’s Philip Green claimed a Gold in Bricklaying, Adam Bushnell received a Bronze in Joinery, while Joe Price was awarded a Medal of Excellence in Carpentry.

Paul Jakeway, Senior Channel Marketing Manager at IRrwin Tools, said: “WorldSkills International provides a unique means of exchange and comparison of world-class competency standards in the industrial trades and service sectors. We have long been a supporter of the future of professional trades through our search for the UK’s Ultimate Apprentice and our work with Skill Build. The partnership with WorldSkills takes this to the next level and spreads this ethos globally.”

Chris Humphries, Chair of WorldSkills London 2011, said: “The young people who have competed in WorldSkills are the very best in the world and we know these Competitors will go on to establish multi-national businesses, develop new products and services and continue to lead their industries – just as their predecessors have done.
“Skills shape our world and we have seen that businesses, politicians as well as teachers and young people realise this. We will only see growth return to our economies through an era of skills and entrepreneurship and that’s why we’re so delighted that 200,000 visitors have been inspired by new job and career opportunities at WorldSkills London with hundreds of thousands more having a go at new skills around the UK.”
Jakeway added: “Whilst WorldSkills is a showcase, IRWIN is constantly committed to supporting young talent by working with construction colleges and apprentices, having recently launched a campaign where a UK College can win a complete workshop in the Irwin College Challenge.”