OTTAWA, ONTARIO – November 19, 2012 – Skills/Compétences Canada, a national not-for-profit organization that actively promotes careers in skilled trades, today announced that their team is returning to Canada on Tuesday with 9 medals and ranked 3rd against 19 other countries/regions in the Americas. The Team was made up of young men and women from each Province/Territory, to compete in 12 of the 35 trades and technology challenges at WorldSkills Americas 2012. The Competition took place from November 12-18, 2012 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The 14 talented young Canadians competed against more than 800 Competitors from 19 WorldSkills Americas Member countries/regions in an Olympic-style team and individual competitions within specialized skilled trade and technology categories such as Plumbing, Restaurant Service and Graphic Design.
“This was Canada’s first time sending a Canadian Team to the WorldSkills Americas, and we couldn’t be more proud”, said Shaun Thorson, CEO, Skills/Compétences Canada. “These talented young individuals, who represent the future of Canada’s skilled trade and technology workforce, competed alongside the best of the best from the Americas. We couldn’t be more pleased of their efforts and their success.”
WorldSkills Americas takes place every two years and brings together the world’s brightest youth in skilled trades and technology from several countries/regions within the Americas. Team Canada participated in 12 of the 35 skills categories.
For the complete results WorldSkills Americas visit https://www.skillscompetencescanada.com/en/programs/worldskills-competition/worldskills-americas-2012/
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. Many programs highlight digital and essential skills, which are crucial qualifications in most careers of today. Headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, Skills/Compétences Canada is the Canadian Member organization of WorldSkills International. For more information, visit www.skillscanada.com or call 877-754-5226.
About WorldSkills Americas
WorldSkills Americas is a non-governmental organization, not for profit, and has as its main objective to provide and promote the highest standards of training in vocational education, by the means of exchange between North America, Central America and Caribbean and South America countries, involving governments, industries, commerce and vocational education and training organizations/institutions. Every two years, the WorldSkills Americas with the cooperation of its member countries/regions, organizes a competition focused on vocational training. The first competition was held in 2010, in Rio de Janeiro. The WorldSkills Americas operates in conjunction with WorldSkills International. For more information, visit: http://www.ntm.al.senai.br/wsa/
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Media Contacts:
Christianne Scholfield
Director, Communications
Skills/Compétences Canada
343-883-7545 ext. 501 or 613 282-3774
christiannes@skillscanada.com
Caroline McGrath
CMM Communications Group (for Skills/Compétences Canada)
416 972-1642
caroline@cmm-communications.com
