Support Team UK

Support Team UK

IfL is proud to sponsor this year’s WorldSkills competition, the largest international skills competition in the world. Often described as the global "skills olympics", it is a competition for individuals from 17 to 22 in order to demonstrate their excellence in skilled professions.

This year the competition, which is held every two years in one of 50 member countries, takes place in the UK at ExCeL London from 5 to 8 October 2011 and six of IfL’s members have offered to participate as IfL Master volunteers. IfL believes that members’ involvement will help raise the profile of teachers and trainers in further education and highlight the importance of their work with young and adult learners.

The 43 young people who have been chosen as members of Team UK for WorldSkills London 2011 will compete with the world’s most highly skilled learners, apprentices and employees in 37 skills, ranging from aircraft maintenance, mobile robotics and carpentry to hairdressing, landscape gardening and graphic design.

IfL’s deputy chief executive, Lee Davies, said, “We send our heartiest congratulations to all those who were selected for Team UK, after months and months of intensive training and preparation. We know that they will be working hard over the coming weeks to hone their skills, and we wish them everything of the best in the competition.

“WorldSkills offers a great opportunity to shine a light on vocational training as a route to success in many respected professions. It also offers us the chance to pay tribute to the outstanding teachers and trainers whose dedication helps set thousands of young people each year on the path to a successful and rewarding career.”

Please show your support by “liking” the Facebook page, tweet about the event to your followers using hashtag #UKskills and wave the flag for Team UK.

If you would like to volunteer for WorldSkills sign up via their volunteering microsite. All you need to do is register your details and tell them what areas you're interested in helping with.