Calgary, Alberta – To prepare for hosting the 40th WorldSkills Competition, WorldSkills Calgary 2009 is sending representatives to Shizuoka, Japan from November 14th to 21st. Facilitated by the WorldSkills International's Observer Program for future hosts, this will also provide a chance to promote the city and generate excitement surrounding the 2009 Competition in Calgary. Shizuoka represents the final WorldSkills Competition before Calgary welcomes the world.

WorldSkills is an international competition where participants challenge their skills in trades and technology based events. Over 900 competitors from 49 countries will be participating over four days at Stampede Park in 40 skill categories from September 1-6, 2009. The operating budget for the event is $55 million.

"Our team includes board members, staff, partners, technical volunteers and vendors" explains Kerry Moynihan, Vice President External. "For a majority of the group this will be the first time attending a WorldSkills Competition. We will be soaking up the experience, focussing on technical and logistical details and expanding our reach with the WorldSkills family. Gaining from their knowledge and experience will be crucial," says Moynihan.

WorldSkills Calgary 2009's participation at the Closing Ceremony includes the traditional Flag handover and what promises to be a lively entertainment segment.

Richard Walker, President and CEO of WorldSkills Calgary 2009, adds, "Host cities are continually raising the bar, and the Competition is becoming bigger and better each time. We want to build on the success of the Shizuoka event, and make the Calgary competition the new benchmark for future competitions. Representatives from our delegation will take every advantage to learn in Shizuoka," Walker adds.

WorldSkills Calgary 2009 will be involved in a number of key activities in Japan, including:

• Operating Canada House, located at the Global Skills Village,
• Providing a WSC 2009 update on operational planning to the 49 member countries,
• Working with officials to gain organizational knowledge at all levels,
• Actively participating at the Global Leaders' Conference,
• Introducing the WorldSkills Calgary 2009 Mascots and announcing their names - November 17, 2007,
• Hosting meetings with WorldSkills Global Sponsors,
• Participating in the Closing Ceremonies, including an Exchange Protocol ceremony.

The details of WorldSkills Calgary 2009's portion of the Closing Ceremony are being held under close wraps, but Kerry Moynihan confirms, "We will use the opportunity to begin telling the story of Calgary's event in 2009 through a unique combination of Canadian talent and themes that reflect our great country/province/city."

Backgrounder

39th WorldSkills Competition –Shizuoka, Japan

Skills 2007- International Skills Festival for All.

• 39th WorldSkills Competition
• 7th International Abilympics

• 900 Competitors, 49 Countries, 150,000 spectators
• Competition site is in the Kadoike district, Numazu City
• Opening Ceremonies – November 14
• Competition Days – November 15,16,17,18
• Closing Ceremonies – November 21

• WorldSkills Calgary 2009 Ltd. is a not-for-profit organization that was established to plan and host the 40th WorldSkills Competition in September 2009.
• The competition will take place from September 1 - 6, 2009, to be held at Calgary Stampede Park.
• 900 competitors from 49 member countries (representing 20 languages) will be participating.
• The organization's mission is to engage the passion of Canada's young people to pursue the trades and technology as viable and rewarding career options.
• Nearly 150,000 spectators and 5,000 experts, delegates and judges from around the world will attend the competition.
• It will require 800,000 square feet of space at Stampede Park.
• The competitors will be housed and fed at the first ever WorldSkills Village located at SAIT Polytechnic.
• Operating budget is $55 million.

• The WorldSkills Competition is the biggest skills competition in the world.
• The first competition was held in 1950 in Madrid, Spain. Canada last hosted the WorldSkills Competition in Montréal in 1999 at the Olympic Stadium.
• Every two years, over 900 competitors from 49 member countries gather to compete in over 40 skill categories ranging from welding, cooking, autobody repair and landscape gardening to beauty care and web design.
• The competition attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors including public policy makers, government representatives, employers, teachers, trainers and experts from around the world.

NOTE: For more information contact Kerry Moynihan – WSC 2009 – Vice President External

• 403-969-5963 or by
• e mail at kerry.moynihan@worldskills2009.com