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Trevor carves a place in history at WorldSkills in Canada

7 September 2009

Trevor Woods, a joinery apprentice from County Fermanagh, has won a coveted bronze medal at the WorldSkills competition in Calgary.

Trevor, a City and Guilds qualified apprentice at South West Regional College Omagh, and employed by McAleer and Teague, Dromore, beat some of the best young skilled people in the world to win the medal at the biggest skills based competition in the world.  He competed as part of the 26 strong UK WorldSkills team which won, in total, nine medals.

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, who supported Trevor during the competition said: “I would like to congratulate Trevor on this magnificent achievement.  The standard of skills that I witnessed in Calgary was extremely high, and Trevor should feel very proud that his commitment and hard work have paid off to make him the best in the world.  Northern Ireland has once again shown that we have a talented workforce with the high level skills that are required to compete in the global economy.”  Photography at http://www.delni.gov.uk/trevorwoodswinner.

Bill McGinnis, attending the event in his role as the Northern Ireland Adviser on Employment and Skills said "Trevor's outstanding success in Calgary, against worldwide competition is a shining example to others in Northern Ireland of what can be achieved through individual commitment and skills development.  This excellent achievement will also have obvious benefits for Trevor's employers, McAleer and Teague, who should be commended for their support.  I would encourage individuals and employers, across all sectors in Northern Ireland, to recognise the benefits that can be gained from upskilling and participating on the global stage.

David Cooper Chairman of Skillbuild NI said: “We are absolutely delighted for Trevor, he has worked extremely hard over the last twelve months to perfect his skills and has now been acknowledged by winning a Worldskills Bronze medal – a tremendous achievement.  We are thrilled that having demonstrated his skills on the local stage at the Skillbuild Northern Ireland Competition, Trevor has been able to achieve such success on a world stage. This award reflects the exceptionally high standards of technical and professional education in Northern Ireland. “

WorldSkills takes place every two years, with nearly 1000 competitors from 51 countries, competing in skills ranging from bricklaying to landscape gardening, cooking and floristry.  Preparations are already underway for the 41st WorldSkills competition which will be held in London in 2011.  

Notes to editors:

  1. The WorldSkills Competition is the biggest skills competition in the world and is held every two years in one of its member countries.  It sets world class standards in over 40 skill categories ranging from cabinet making to web design.
  2. Over four days of tough competition, nearly 1000 young people drawn now from 52 member nations test themselves against tough international standards.  The ultimate prizes are gold, silver and bronze medals.
  3. Locations of previous and future WorldSkills competitions: 2003: St. Gallen, Switzerland; 2005: Helsinki, Finland; 2007: Shizuoka, Japan; 2009: Calgary, Canada; 2011: London, UK.
  4. Calgary hosted the 40th WorldSkills Competition, from 1 to 7 September 2009. In addition to the 900 competitors from 51 member countries, there were 3,000 volunteers, 5,000 international experts, delegates and visitors, 30,000 hotel room nights, 150,000 student and public spectators and 80,000 square metres of competition space.
  5. UK Skills was responsible for selecting and training UK candidates for WorldSkills.
  6. The UK’s WorldSkills team was managed by UK Skills working in partnership with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the Department for Employment and Learning Northern Ireland, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Assembly Government and key partners from education, government and industry.
  7. City & Guilds support Team UK and are premier sponsors of WorldSkills London 2011.
  8. Skillbuild Northern Ireland developed from Construction Craft Competitions in 1994 and has grown into the leading skills competition in the construction industry in Northern Ireland www.skillbuildni.org
  9. All media queries  should be directed to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.  Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.