Preparations Underway For National Competition

Preparations Well Underway For National Competition

More than 250 trade enthusiasts will gather at CPIT’s Trades Innovation Institute in September as competitors, judges and spectators take part in the 2010 National New Zealand WorldSkills competition.

Preparations are now well underway at CPIT to ensure the globally-recognised competition is a success.

From September 23-25, New Zealand’s regional experts in various trade and industrial services from welding and carpentry to floristry and hairdressing will compete for top honours across a total of 19 competitions.

“We are doing everything we can to make sure the event is a success for CPIT and the region,” says Phil Agnew, CPIT’s TradeFIT Development Manager.

“We will be making the most of our new facilities and equipment and are using our industry partnerships and community networks to source materials, for example special cars for the automotive competitions,” he says.

“From a logistics point of view, we’ve made sure our CPIT trades students take the work experience component of their training during the WorldSkills event, so they too, can watch the competitions relevant to their trade.”

Of the 19 competitions, four will be held at CPIT’s Madras Street campus including restaurant service, floristry, cooking and hairdressing.

“The floristry competition will be held over two days in CPIT’s Rakaia Centre atrium at the Madras Street campus; the first will be a static display of student work and the competition will follow the next day. The theme is bridal and so will attract a lot of public interest,” says Phil.

“There is a real buzz about WorldSkills being held at CPIT. Once the competitions start, I’m really looking forward to seeing the talent of New Zealand’s young trainees, in particular, how quickly they are developing their skills,” says Phil.

To make the most of the trades-focussed festivities and in addition to the WorldSkills event, CPIT will hold a Trades Expo for industry partners and the wider community. The expo will provide visitors with an opportunity to tour the campus’s world-class facilities and workshops, participate in several activities, watch live demonstrations and talk with current students, staff and industry partners about the Trades programmes and career pathways available.

“We want the community to be involved in the Expo and enjoy watching the WorldSkills event for what it is – a celebration of New Zealand’s trades industries.”

ENDS