Mrs Haatainen: Raising appreciation for vocational skills

- In Finland, year 2005 has been declared the National Year of Vocational Training and Young Professionals. Its main event is the 38th WorldSkills Competition, said Minister of Education, Tuula Haatainen on Wednesday at the opening ceremony of WorldSkills 2005.- WorldSkills Competition consists of very different kind of competitions. They test and develop skills and competencies required in industry, commerce and services. These competitions are an excellent way of raising skill levels. - The first aim of WorldSkills is to strengthen the appreciation of vocational training. The second is to improve the quality of training, particularly skill levels. And the third is to strengthen the status of skills needed in working life. - While organising the competition and events, we have created innovative local, national and international skills networks. It has been the best possible way to promote appreciation for vocational training and spread the WorldSkills message. - I hope that this competition strengthens understanding and friendship among young professionals globally, concluded Minister Haatainen.- - - In WorldSkills, organised every other year, young people under 23 years of age from all overthe world compete in the skills of their vocational fields. There are 34 official competition skills and about five demonstration skills. The skills represent the fields of technology, industry, and services. About 800 competitors from nearly 40 countries participate in the competition.