The Olympics of vocational learning 


WorldSkills is the biggest skills competition in the world – the Olympics of vocational learning. It’s been held in a different member country every two years since 1953, showcasing the world’s talents in everything from welding to web design. Edge was instrumental in winning London’s bid to host the 2011 competition, beating Sweden, France and Australia. Edge is also sponsoring UK squads, team and alumni at the UK selection competitions and at WorldSkills in Calgary 2009 and London 2011. We worked with UK Skills, an independent organisation that promotes skills and vocational learning and is responsible for delivering the London 2011 event. Other bid partners were City & Guilds, the Department for Education and Skills, and the Honda Institute.

Ready to go

UK Skills will spend the next few years gearing up for London hosting the 2011 WorldSkills. Project director Aidan Jones, appointed in October 2008, will oversee the preparations. When the competition rolls around in October 2011, young people from 50 countries will go head-to-head in a variety of practical, hands-on tasks based around major industries. During four days of tough competition, expert judges will award gold, silver and bronze medals according to the performance of the young people in each skills category. The event will be visited by hundreds of thousands of employers, teachers and policy-makers, all eager to see exceptional vocational skills in action.

Lasting legacy 


WorldSkills 2011 will showcase British innovation and skills to an international audience. It will also inspire UK businesses to greater investment in education, as they see what can be achieved by highly trained, skilled workers. Events like this contribute to one of Edge’s long-term goals – a positive change in people’s perceptions of practical and vocational learning.

Why we need it

Edge supports UK Skills’ aim of raising skills levels, and we’re in total agreement when it comes to the skills gap and the importance of high profile events to promote vocational learning. Hosting such a prestigious international event will give a boost to vocational learning and raise awareness of the skills agenda, in the UK and worldwide.

Sharing the movement

Through an exciting new initiative video stories from the 40th World Skills competition in Calgary this year will be available to view and share online. This unique project aims to create 100 short videos of competitors, experts and stakeholders to explain and celebrate the World Skills movement across the world, To be part of it and to help us launch World Skills TV across the globe go to www.worldskills.tv