Prime Minister is inspired by world's biggest skills expo and speaks to Kai Burkitt, Rachel Carr and Sam Andrews from the UK Manufacturing Team Challenge.
On Thursday (Oct 5), Prime Minister David Cameron visited WorldSkills London 2011, the biennual, global expo that is the world’s biggest skills competition, jobs and careers exhibition.
David Cameron said: “Standing here is so inspiring, to see almost 1,000 young people from more than 50 countries competing to be the best of the best. Not just in one skill, but in more than 40 skills from robotics, to web design, from cookery to landscape gardening.
“It’s great too for me that the UK is able to show off the skills and diversity of our own young people. What they have all achieved here sets a fantastic example for other young people.”
Touring the halls at the London ExCel, Mr Cameron took part in ‘Having a Go’ at mobile robotics with Middlesex University and spoke to school and college children from across the UK. He also met members of the largest ever Team UK.
The Prime Minister met Puja Varsani and Darren Lewis, both from London, who are competing in the Mobile Robotics Competition. He also spoke to members of the Manufacturing Team Challenge and BAE Systems employees Kai Burkitt from Stockport, Rachel Carr from Poulton-le-Fylde and Sam Andrews from Preston.
It is the first time that the UK capital has hosted the WorldSkills competition in its sixty year history.
Aidan Jones, chief executive of WorldSkills London 2011, welcomed the Prime Minister to ExCeL and said: “There has never been a more important time to hold WorldSkills in our country. We are delighted that politicians and dignitaries from across the UK – and indeed the world – have joined us here to recognise the very best young talent in key skill areas.”
On Tuesday, it was announced at WorldSkills London 2011 that a group of UK-based companies that includes 3M, Bentley Motors, Cisco and Starbucks planned to create 1,300 apprenticeship start-ups in the next year. Bentley Motors confirmed its normal annual apprenticeship intake is 20-25, and this would double in 2012.
The organisers expect 150,000 visitors, participants, business leaders and politicians in attending the four day event at ExCeL London – taking place over an area the size of ten Wembley football pitches until Saturday.
For more information visit www.worldskillslondon2011.com.
