WorldSkills Japan 2007 Mission - Final Report
Overview:
Ron Liepert, Minister of Education, traveled to Tokyo, Japan and Shizuoka, Japan to attend WorldSkills 2007 Competition from November 14-21, as a representative of the Alberta Government.
Mission Objectives:
To gather information and gain insight into the scope of a WorldSkills event to assist in the province’s preparations to host WorldSkills 2009 in Calgary.
To meet with education officials from the Japan Ministry of Education to discuss collaborative initiatives in international education as well as new approaches to career education.
Results:
Canada was one of 46 countries participating in the WorldSkills Japan 2007 competition. The Canadian team had 29 competitors with four from Alberta. Although Alberta did not win any medals, Canada won six medals: gold in Welding and Cooking, silver in Web Design and Electrical Installations and bronze in Confectioners/Pastry Cook and Ladies Dressmaking. Overall, Canada ranked 11th out of 46 countries.
Minister Liepert’s attendance of the WorldSkills 2007 event provided an invaluable first-hand experience of the scope and magnitude of hosting the world for an Olympic-style competition. The opportunity to network and gather information will serve the province well as it prepares to host WorldSkills 2009 in Calgary. Minister Liepert had to return to Canada on November 15, 2007 and was unable to attend the remaining events. Staff from Alberta Education and Advanced Education and Technology were in attendance for the event and have reported to their respective ministries.
The WorldSkills competition in 2009 creates an unparalleled opportunity to:
- Showcase youth as world champions.
- Increase awareness and generate interest of youth in skilled trades and technology occupations impacting both high school completion rates and labour and skills shortages.
- Increase awareness of high quality training for trades and technology occupations in the K-12 and apprenticeship and industry training systems.
- Increase awareness of the value of trades and technology occupations in the Alberta and Canadian economies
- Highlight the economic advantage of Alberta and Canada.
- Increase awareness of international visitors of Alberta and Canada as a potential place to live, work or visit.
The WorldSkills Calgary 2009 competition will support the government’s work on revisioning the Career and Technology Studies program and Connecting Learning and Work: Alberta’s Career Development Strategy – a shared ministry initiative involving Alberta Education; Advanced Education and Technology; and Employment, Immigration and Industry. These initiatives will help young Albertans develop the skills and connections they need to prepare for their chosen career in the world of work. The supports available to help youth reach their goals and potential include experiential learning, formal learning and work experience opportunities.
Delegation:
Ron Liepert, Minister of Education
