17 October 2011
WorldSkills Legacy for Wales
ColegauCymru is delighted to congratulate all the colleges from Wales that participated in WorldSkills 2011 and especially IT student David Bowen for achieving a Medallion for Excellence as official recognition of having demonstrated ‘world class’ level in web design.
Building on this foundation and sustaining our momentum is now key to Wales’ performance at the next WorldSkills in 2013 in Germany.
Chief Executive of ColegauCymru, John Graystone, said: “Wales is performing strongly against national and international comparators. However, when it comes to the very best in the world, Wales could do better. We are under-represented in the UK team.
“Having been part of the amazing international buzz and witnessed the world class level of skills that was the centrepiece of WorldSkills 2011, Wales’ colleges – their students as well as staff – are more motivated than ever before to compete on the global stage.
“Success breeds success. Having three members of college staff from Wales as supervisors or managers for Team UK in 2011, now with experience of working at top international competition level, should prove a key resource for all of Wales’ colleges in moving forward.”
Planning ahead to WorldSkills 2013, the Welsh Government has appointed Barry Liles, Principal of Coleg Sir Gâr as WorldSkills Champion for Wales. Mr Liles chairs a network of WorldSkills Champions from the further education sector which is proving to be a key driver for Wales-wide collaborations to raise skills levels through competitions.
In addition, it has just been announced that a UK-wide annual skills competition has been formed as the legacy of WorldSkills 2011. Called WorldSkills UK, it will be a great opportunity to focus on preparing for future WorldSkills competitions.
Dr John Graystone said: “National and international competitions can provide the spur for both staff and students to challenge and stretch themselves continually. WorldSkills is proving to be a strong inspirational catalyst in raising aspirations so that Wales can match the best in the world.
“Congratulations to all the colleges that made WorldSkills the amazing event that it was. I now look forward to seeing Wales develop an even stronger position for WorldSkills Leipzig 2013.”
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Contact: Sylvia Davies on 029 2052 8384 or 07968 771913.
Notes to editors:
1. ColegauCymru / CollegesWales was previously known as fforwm. It is a national educational charity that represents all 20 further education (FE) colleges and institutions in Wales. Its mission is to raise the profile of further education with key decision-makers to improve opportunities for learners in Wales. For further information about ColegauCymru / CollegesWales, and the colleges it represents, visit www.colegaucymru.ac.uk or www.collegeswales.ac.uk
2. Participation by Wales’ colleges at WorldSkills London 2011 included:
- one student competitor in Team UK
- two Team UK Managers
- one Team UK Workshop Supervisor
- one college presenting at the Global Skills Marketplace - an international skills conference running alongside WorldSkills
- 12 skills Showcases on the WorldSkills stage
- over 900 college students and staff exhibiting, volunteering or visiting
- one very lively interactive ‘Make it Happen Exhibition’ staged as a partnership between ColegauCymru / CollegesWales, the Welsh Government and the National Training Federation for Wales.