WorldSkills NZ National Finalists Announced

Sunday 21 September 2008

WorldSkills NZ National Finalists Announced

Three days of intense practical competition for nearly 100 young trades’ men and women in 18 different skill categories culminated today in the WorldSkills New Zealand National Finals Award Ceremony at Parliament hosted by Hon Trevor Mallard.

The medallists are now in the running for selection for the WorldSkills Tool Blacks team to compete at the WorldSkills International Competition in Calgary, Canada in September 2009. The Tool Blacks team will be announced at the end of October 2008.

The competitions in Calgary will have competitors from over sixty countries at what has been described as a “Skills Olympics”.

“The reason we have WorldSkills competitions is so we can benchmark our training against the best from the rest of the world and to provide them and their trainers with a network of like-minded people from the other competing countries. A whole host of other obvious benefits to the individuals and New Zealand Industry come as a consequence of this focus,” says Mr Peter Spencer,

CEO, WorldSkills NZ. “We know these are our elite trades men and women, our most determined and competitive, who will go on to positions of responsibility in their respective industries, in the future. Consequently we need to maximise their potential.”

Once the Tool Blacks team is announced, the competitors will begin a rigorous regime of training to prepare them for the International competition. There will be team camps, individual training sessions, and we ask you to consider supporting them in their efforts to raise funds for their international endeavours.

ENDS

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