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WorldSkills competition teaches value of craftsmanship
Susan Thompson
for South Peace News
Three École Heritage students attended the Olympics of trade at the beginning of September and learned the value of craftsmanship.
The 40th WorldSkills International competition was held September 2 to 5 at Stampede Park in Calgary. The over 900 competitors in the competition aged 17 to 22 worked alone or in teams and competed in 45 different skills, trade and technology categories.
“To witness the global skills movement in action is to develop a deeper respect and appreciation for the passion, determination and expertise embodied by these competitors,” says Richard Walker, President and CEO of WorldSkills Calgary 2009, in a press release. “This is only the second time the WorldSkills Competition has been hosted in Canada in the 59-year history of WorldSkills International. It’s not likely to come back here anytime soon, so this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the best of the best in skills, trades and technologies up close.”
Over 15,000 spectators attended the event. Spectators were asked not to speak to competitors since they needed to concentrate on their projects, but interactive components such as education and career booths showcased many promising career options. Spectators could also Try-A-Skill by trying Electrical Wiring, laying a welding bead, learning the art of Bricklaying or trying out virtual painting.
Students from different schools across the province also attended. According to a ratio of how many students from each school could attend, Falher’s École Heritage was entitled to send three students. Teacher Marc Belley accompanied Rachel St. Laurent, Alain Bérubé and Kurtis Houde to the competition.
“The Minister of Education last year strongly suggested every school in Alberta should go,” says Belley. “We went around and saw different competitors from different countries. It was very impressive.”
Team Canada had 38 competitors including eight from Alberta and 30 from across the rest of the country. Competitors had to qualify through Skills Canada provincial/territorial and national competitions.
“It was an eye opener for the students,” says Belley. “Unanimously it was a ‘wow.’ It shows there’s lots of opportunity, and makes them think maybe I can do that.”
Belley says it was informative to see a female machinist as well as male fashion studies competitors making dresses.
“Also, we were inspired by the beauty of old trades like bricklayers. What they’d done was quite artistic.”
Competitors using old hand tools worked right alongside large modern CNC plasma machines and computers.
“What struck me is it’s the person, the craftsman, not the tools or machine,” says Belley. “It’s what the person can do, the quality of the person, the time and the patience. If you looked at the guys bricklaying, they were dusty and focused. They were creating. They were one with the trade.”
École Heritage offers some instruction in trades to high school students, such as woodworking, design, photography, printing, welding and cabinetmaking, depending on the year.
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