The SkillEX Games Begin

16 March 2006

The SkillEX Games Begin

The regional competitions are about to start for the trade skills equivalent of world games. Local young people will be putting their skills to the test at Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec) on 25 March for a place in the national SkillEX competitions, also to be held at WelTec in September. Their eventual goal is the World Youth Skills Competition to be held in Japan next year.

Wellington SkillEX coordinator Vaughan Crimmins says that this is not only a great opportunity for young people to gain experience and pit themselves against their peers. “It’s also a chance for those in local businesses and industry to get some idea of the skills and capabilities of those learning their trades and technical skills,” says Vaughan.

Vaughan says that if they are good, so are their chances. “The Wellington Region young people have frequently featured in the top ten at the international event,” says Vaughan. “Of course, we’re always aiming to beat previous records.

“It’s not too late for young people to enter. They must be under 22 and training towards a career directly related to the skill category they are entering.

“Anyone can come along to have a look at the competition. It’s also a good chance for school students to get a look at some of the trades in action and how much people can learn early in their careers.”

WelTec CEO, Dr Linda Sissons, says that WelTec is proud to be hosting SkillEx this year. “SkillEx encourages the kind of excellence that is contributing to the growing recognition of trades and technical jobs as professional career options,” says Dr Sissons.

The competition, at WelTec’s Petone campus, will include automotive technology, automotive refinishing, autobody repair, cookery, restaurant services, bricklaying, landscape gardening, electrotechnology, welding, carpentry and joinery, fitting/machining and others.

ENDS

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