This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Worldskills 2011
10/05/2006
London is to host Worldskills 2011, the world's largest skills competition for young people, it was announced in Melbourne today.
The success of the bid bid offers Scotland a fantastic opportunity to showcase its talents to the rest of the world, Deputy Lifelong Learning Minister Allan Wilson said today.
He said it is hoped that Scotland can host a day at the four-day event which will see young people aged 18-22 from more than 40 countries compete in skills ranging from engineering and IT to carpentry and cooking.
Mr Wilson said:
"This is great news for Scotland and offers a fantastic opportunity to inspire the country's young people to achieve excellence in skills.
"It is the talent and know-how of Scotland's people that will help drive forward our economy. That is why I want to see Scotland's schoolchildren develop a real appetite for learning and the world of work.
"Bringing such a high-profile event as Worldskills to the UK will really help raise the profile of vocational learning, and will help stimulate young people's interest in work and training.
"I want to see Scotland play an active part not only in 2011 but in events leading up to the competition itself. I look forward to working with Scotland's schools, colleges and businesses over the coming months to help us ensure that Scotland makes the most of this fantastic opportunity."
Held every two years, the first Worldskills Competition took place in Madrid in 1950 as a forum for young people to demonstrate their vocational skills. The last competition was held in 2005 in Helskinki, Finland.