August 21, 2009
Industry Training
Canada Hosts 40th World Skills Competition in September
The World Skills Competition is often referred to as the global “Skills Olympics,” and this September Canada is the host of the 40th international competition in Calgary, Alberta.
From September 1 to 7, the event will take place at Stampede Park where 200,000 visitors and millions of observers from around the globe will have their eyes on Canada. The Automotive Service Industry will be represented at the event by one of the 45 competitions taking place.
Increased awareness of career opportunities in skilled trades
Through international competitions held every two years in one of 50 member countries, World Skills International (WSI) attempts to raise awareness of the opportunities that exist in skilled professions. The goal is to encourage youth, their parents and teachers to consider career opportunities that are available in skilled trades. This is only the second time that World Skills has been hosted in Canada since the competitions began. One thousand of the best skilled young people from 50 countries will compete in 45 skill areas to determine who is the best of the best. More than 80,000 square metres of space will be utilized during the competition and visitors and delegates will occupy 30,000 hotel room nights while visiting Calgary.
Competitor selection
In order to compete at World Skills, a young professional must be selected by his respective country and be between the ages of 17 and 22. A competitor may participate only once in the World Skills Competition. The winners are awarded certificates of achievement and medals (gold, silver, and bronze) to celebrate excellence during the competition.
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The industry will be represented at World Skills Calgary by Dan Van Holst, a third-generation Automotive Service Technician from Waterloo, Ontario.
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Automotive Service represented at global event
The Automobile Technology Competition will test the skills of competitors from across the globe in their ability to make mechanical repairs and diagnose vehicles while meeting exacting safety standards. The industry will be represented at World Skills Calgary by Dan Van Holst, a third-generation Automotive Service Technician from Waterloo, Ontario.
Dan Van Holst is currently attending Conestoga College in Waterloo. He believes that by keeping an open mind, he can always learn new information and different ways to accomplish a task. Passionate about learning, he reads constantly about new technologies impacting the trade so he can stay on top of emerging trends. Dan was recruited to participate at the Skills/Compétences Canada-Ontario competition during his training at college. He was selected by his teachers to participate at the provincial level and he continued on to compete at the Canadian Skills Competition where he earned a spot on Team Canada. He is one of 38 successful young adults that will have the opportunity to represent his country and compete against the best in the world. Dan is committed to the automobile technology trade and looks forward to continuing to work in a career that offers a high level of satisfaction every day.
We wish Dan good luck at World Skills Calgary!
World Skills International : www.worldskills.org
Skills/Compétences Canada : www.skillscanada.com
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