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WorldSkills competition
30/06/2009
Four young Scots have been picked for the final UK team for WorldSkills 2009, to be held in Calgary from September 1 - 7.
More than 200,000 spectators from across the world are expected to watch more than 900 competitors from 51 countries compete in a range of skills events at the competition, from bricklaying to catering.
The four Scots, who will make up the 25-strong UKteam, are:
Richard Sagar - Electrical Installation - Eden Electrics Ltd, Langholm, Dumfriesshire Mark Nevin - Painting and Decorating - Nevin of Edinburgh Decorators Katherine Watson - Restaurant Service - Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire Martin Eusebi - Mechanical Engineering CADD - MB Aerospace, Motherwell
Richard Sagar (22), from Langholm in Dumfriesshire is employed with Eden Electrics in the town after completing his apprenticeship with Dumfries and Galloway College. Richard has always had an interest in physics and maths since school and his employment allows him to get involved in different types of electrical energy work.
Mark Nevin (22) left West Calder High School when he was 16. He discovered he had a passion and a talent for painting and decorating. Following in his father's footsteps, Mark now plays a central role in the family business, Nevin of Edinburgh Decorators. As well as completing his painting and decorating apprenticeship, Mark also successfully completed his SVQ Level 3 at Telford College in Edinburgh.
Katie Watson (21) attended Strathaven Academy until she was 17, and recently completed a BA in Hotel and Hospitality Management at Strathclyde University. Her passion for people, good food and hospitality has helped to develop her skills which she is developing further at Gleneagles Hotel as one of their up-and-coming chef de rangs.
Martin Eusebi (21) works as an apprentice draftsman with Motherwell firm MB Aerospace to help develop his career. Martin has been honing his skills as a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) technician with MB Aerospace's Roberts Division which specialises in the design and manufacture of a wide range of subsea, precision machining equipment for the oil & gas industry.
They were told the good news today at an event hosted by UK Skills at the Houses of Parliament, Westminster, after initially earning a place among the 64-strong UK Squad earlier this year and competing for selection for the final line-up.
Another young Scot from that original line-up, Jenna Smillie, who is studying Hairdressing at Reid Kerr College, Paisley, has meanwhile been chosen for the UK squad for WorldSkills 2011 which will take place in London in October 2011.
Minister for Schools and Skills, Keith Brown said:
"This is fantastic news for these young people, who through their dedication and hard work have earned themselves a place at the most prestigious skills event in the world. I also want to pay tribute to those young people who didn't make the final line-up but were selected for the UK squad - that in itself was quite an achievement.
"All our young people in Scotland need help and encouragement to achieve their full potential. WorldSkills encourages those undertaking vocational learning to aim high and become the best they can be in their chosen field from engineering to catering and from beauty therapy to welding. It also helps these young people continue to develop their work skills in a competitive but supportive environment so that they are fully geared up to make their contribution to Scotland's economic future when the time comes.
"I want to wish them and their training managers the best of luck for Calgary. I hope that they enjoy this once in a life time opportunity and I am sure that they will do Scotland proud."
WorldSkills competitions are organised by in the UK by UK Skills, a not-for-profilt company sponsored by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.
WorldSkills is the largest skills competition in the world and takes place every two years in a host member nation. Calgary 2009, is the 40th competition, with more than 1000 competitors aged 16 to 23, expected to take part from more than 51 countries. It is an opportunity for the young people to test themselves against tough international standards and improve and showcase their skills in a range of fields. Further information is available on the WorldSkills website.
Young people aged 15 to 23, who are in education or training, and interested in qualifying for the next WorldSkills competition, to be held in London in 2011, can register via www.worldskillsuk.org