WorldSkills London 2011 supports National Apprenticeships Week

Aidan Jones, Executive Director, WorldSkills London 2011 was interviewed by ePolitix.com this week about National Apprenticeships Week 2010. Below is a summary of that interview:


Is it important to promote apprenticeship schemes through an Annual week? What messages does WorldSkills London 2011 hope that the National Apprenticeships Week will convey?

Apprenticeship Week (1st - 5th Feb 2010) provides a fresh opportunity to focus on the strengths and the potential of a learning model which is still largely overlooked despite a massive rise in the number of apprentices in the past five years.

WorldSkills London 2011 supports the work of the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) and in particular, we were pleased to see one of the themes of this year's Apprenticeship Week is 'Apprenticeships driving business'. We understand the crucial role that apprentices can play as a means of developing exceptional performance both for individual and organisational success. Indeed, the significance of this will only grow for us as we move towards 2011, when the UK will host WorldSkills, the largest international skills based competition there is; one that will see 1,200 young, talented people from around the globe compete in a wide range of skills. The event will provide a benchmark for the comparative strength of the training infrastructure on offer from businesses in the UK and internationally.

The time has come to ensure that our next generation of apprentices gain the benefit of a superb learning experience which is not just 'fit for purpose' but 'fit for life'. This week affords us a chance to begin to focus on how this can be achieved.

How will the legacy of WorldSkills London 2011 support the continuing work of the National Apprenticeship Service?

At WorldSkills Calgary 2009, over half of Team UK were apprentices and the skills and dedication of these young people contributed to a record-breaking seventh position for the UK. We were awarded three Gold and six Bronze medals in skills including painting and decorating, joinery, cooking and electrical installation.

Continuing this success, many of the young people who compete at WorldSkills London 2011 will be apprentices. We want to use the event to showcase the talent of apprentices on offer in this country, and as part of the WorldSkills London 2011 legacy, we want to inspire the next generation of apprentices to excel and achieve very high standards in their chosen skill.

What points would you like to emphasise about the importance of WorldSkills London 2011?

WorldSkills London 2011 will be a fantastic and entertaining event that will showcase to the world the achievements of talented young people, who have chosen to have a career in a traditional or modern skill. The event will inspire people of all ages to positively consider training in a vocational skill.

Of course, the event happens a year before the Olympics come to London. And we must all remember that without a talented workforce, who will help deliver the event, the Olympics would not happen.

To help make WorldSkills London 2011 a resounding success we need all of your support. For more information on how you can get involved and support WorldSkills London 2011, I encourage you to visit worldskillslondon2011.com