Governor-General Inspires Young Trades Team

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Media Release
5 August 2009

Governor-General Inspires Young Trades Team

Governor-General, Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, recently farewelled the team of young trades representatives who will be competing for New Zealand in the WorldSkills International competition in Calgary, Canada.

The event held at Government House, Auckland, was attended by team officials, supporters, employers and sponsors, along with business and Parliamentary representatives who joined the Governor-General in paying tribute to the New Zealand trades team, called the Tool Blacks.

As Patron of World Skills New Zealand the Governor-General fully endorsed the organisation’s role in promoting trade skills, and the teams’ achievement in participating in participating in the Calgary event.

“This event is much more than a series of games. The serious purpose behind it, which is supported by WorldSkills NZ, is to show young people the opportunities available for satisfying and productive careers in trade and service industries.

“This is not just for the benefit of individuals. Communities depend on continuing availability of suitably skilled personnel for their economic and commercial success. In times of economic difficulty, like these, it is even more essential for there to be investment in helping young people find the work they can enjoy and excel in,” said Sir Anand.

Seventeen young New Zealand trades’ men and women are taking on the world in
head-to-head competition in Calgary, Canada, beginning 1 September.

World titles are at stake, and New Zealand standards of trades training are in the spotlight.

The young team of Tool Blacks will contest individual trade categories against more than 800 competitors from 50 countries. They will be required to show their skills in specially assigned tasks designed to simulate the exacting requirements of their workplace, in what will be intense competitive situations.

At the previous WorldSkills International competitions held in Japan in 2007, the New Zealand Tool Blacks were ranked 14th of the 49 nations competing.

According to team spokesman, automotive technician Marcel Woods (21) of Kaikohe, the Tool Blacks have worked very hard for success.

“With the training the team has put in, we are all closer to winning gold at Calgary, the ultimate goal,” said Marcel.

“But regardless of gold or silver, our journeys will not end with the closing of the competition.”

The Governor General said he believed that the team provided a wonderful example and expressed admiration for the commitment shown in preparing for the competition.

“I want to stand behind the notion of the team doing well this year - as competitors and as ambassadors for our country. As New Zealanders you will carry our brand, and I hope that you enjoy every moment and come back enriched and stimulated to pass on your experiences to your friends, families and colleagues.”

The Tool Blacks were selected after the WorldSkills New Zealand national finals in September 2008.

To meet the international criteria, all national competitors were required to be less than 23 years of age.

Since that time the young people selected and their trainers have been putting in long hours of training to fine-tune their skills in preparation for four days of intense practical competition.

The team will compete in seventeen different trade categories covering a broad range.
There’s plumbing to printing, marine cabinetmaking to automotive technology, floristry to restaurant services.

Team members will be accompanied to Canada by expert trainers from each of the trade categories.

WorldSkills New Zealand is an independent, non-profit charitable trust that was founded in 1986.

Its purpose is to encourage young people to excel in vocational skills, achieved through exposure to competitions at a regional, national, and international level.

ENDS

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