Top 30 Passed Skill Dev. Test For Worldskills Comp

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Auckland-24-March-2005

TOP 30 PASSED SKILL DEVELOPMENT TEST FOR WORLDSKILLS COMPETITIONS

Hunua Lodge provided an ideal venue for the New Zealand SkillEX team 3-day training camp which teamed up judge and competitor for a one-on-one workshop and skill development session that left either one edging for medals.

The primary aim for the training was to prepare the team for their respective roles at the 38th Worldskills Competitions, formerly known as Skills Olympics, where they will be competing in their specialist skill category against 40 other countries.

Andy Hartando (employed by Gaullt on George) the New Zealand representative in cooking teamed up with his respective expert Stephen Pope to plan and train for their participation in the international competition.

“Excited, happy, can’t wait. I know it will open doors for further career opportunities”, said Andy.

The youngster who has several laurels to his name including a gold medal in the Junior Team Skill 2003 competition, a silver medal in the Trans Tasman 2003 competition and a gold medal in the Auckland regional SkillEX competition 2004, is one out of 30 leaving for Helsinki.

Participants travelled from Canterbury, Wellington, Central District and Auckland to meet and develop team cohesion and disciplines for the international vocational competitions at the Hunua environment and outdoor education centre. For them the highlight became learning the Haka and fitting their black uniforms

Attending since 1989, Albie Lund, chief executive officer of Youth Skills New Zealand, his fervour is as charged as ever. "We are always competing to learn. This time I am set on bringing back medals."

A total of 14 competitors and 14 experts were selected from last years SkillEX national finals for the New Zealand team in categories of automotive technology, fitting, joinery, Electrical wiring, sheetmetal work, welding, mechatronics, PC, IT, network support and cooking.

This is Youth Skills’ nineth time at Worldskills, the premier showcase of youth skill and trade excellence around the world. Worldskills competitions measure skill competence of more than 50 category areas and lends New Zealand industry, and government the opportunity to benchmark New Zealand skills and training to ascertain New Zealand’s level of global competitiveness.

Youth Skills New Zealand has been organizing SkillEX work skill competitions since 1986 to promote skill excellence among young trainees and employees. SkillEX competitions provide a major confidence boost to competitors; it increases the quality of their work output, and provides a benchmark for training in New Zealand industry.

The team will be leaving on the 18th of May.

ENDS

www.youthskills.org.nz www.worldskills.org www.wsc2005helsinki.com

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