October 01, 2010
Jamaica has an enviable reputation for dominating international athletics. Now that victorious spirit is spreading to skilled arts and technologies.
On Monday October 5, the WorldSkills Jamaica National Skills Competition begins under the auspices of HEART Trust/NTA. This event is governed by the guidelines of WorldSkills International, which sets standards for global participants.
The Opening Ceremony takes place at the National Indoor Sports Centre October 5 at 6:30 p.m., and the competiton runs October 6 & 7 at the University of Technology, Jamaica.
Panmedia has worked on the branding of WorldSkills Jamaica, and is helping the Communications Department at HEART in promoting the National Skills Competition this year.
After two years of eliminations, 350 entrants and 160 coaches, competitors will vie to represent Jamaica at the biennial WorldSkills International Competition in London in October 2011 among 53 countries. The talent on show next week at what is often called the Skills Olympics is drawn from HEART Trust/NTA institutions, high schools and several from industry.
For the past eight years, thousands of talented young Jamaicans have participated in the National Skills Competition for a chance to represent Jamaica. The country has competed in WorldSkills International Competition in 2003 in St.Gallen, Switzerland, 2005 in Helsinki, Finland, 2007 in Shizouka, Japan and in 2009 in Calgary, Canada.
Those who compete internationally gain invaluable exposure to the best the world has to offer in all skills from Cosmetology to Automotive Technology. The WorldSkills movement has already begun to impact the quality of work produced by many young professionals.
Jamaica is the first Caribbean nation to become a member of WorldSkills International. This year the nation marks another first in the region when it hosts the WorldSkills International General Assembly.
At its deliberations in Kingston, the Board of Directors, Technical and Official delegates are expected to approve the creation of a WorldSkills Foundation to advance the WorldSkills cause globally and attract more recognition and support for the biennial Skills Competition. The Assembly will also vote in a new executive as two term President Jack Dusseldorp leaves office.