WorldSkills London 2011 Wednesday, October 5, 2011 - 09:20

WorldSkills London 2011 (5-8 October) saw young people from across the globe competing to be the best of the best in their chosen skill. NIACE gave its support to WorldSkills London 2011, because it believes all kinds of learning and skills are worth celebrating. The focus and recognition that vocational skills received during this week is well deserved. These kind of skills are not only essential to a sustained economic recovery, but have the capacity to change the lives of people who acquire them.

Over 200,000 people from the UK alone visited WorldSkills London 2011. They had the chance to Have a Go at dozens of skills ranging from electronics to plumbing, web design and fashion to cabinet making.

During the competition, NIACE hosted an exhibition stand to share inspirational stories of past Adult Learners' Week winners, to highlight that learning as an adult can be fun, invigorating and life-changing. NIACE was also asking people to fill out a quick survey to find out what they would most like to learn.

In the run up to the competition, NIACE has supported WorldSkills London 2011 by jointly coordinating a national campaign to provide one million opportunities for people across the UK to try new skills through Have a Go activities. The September Skills Festival also ran until 8 October, but has encouraged learning providers and organisations to continue their activities and celebrations beyond the national events, to ensure that adults have the vital opportunity to try new skills and to learn all year round.

Mark Ravenhall, NIACE Director of Policy and Impact, said:

"NIACE is delighted to have been involved in WorldSkills London 2011 and to be able to link it closely to our work coordinating Adult Learners' Week, the year-long campaign to promote and celebrate adult learning. It is commendable that WorldSkills not only focussed on elite skills, but also on the small steps that many adults take to achieve success."