WorldSkills UK Wales

And the WorldSkills UK 2010 'Oscar' Goes to...

The red carpet is rolled out for the 82nd Annual Academy Awards and Hollywood’s finest are preparing to gather and celebrate achievements in their field. As we read through the list of nomination categories, we can’t help but wonder who will win the WorldSkills UK 2010 ‘Oscars’ in a number of similar categories.

Great timing and the ability to create a believable character within a role are just some of the many attributes required to be a successful actor. Do you see yourself as a future Oscar winner for best actor or actress in a leading role? Then the WorldSkills UK Performing Arts: Acting competition is for you.

Last year, Charlotte Knowles and Pip Johnson, two students from Yale College, won the gold and silver medals in this competition, giving them a great start to their acting career. Take a look at this photo gallery to see others who have entered previous WorldSkills UK competitions in this area.

Maybe ‘costume design’ is more your thing? If so, then what about considering the WorldSkills UK competition in Fashion Design?

Or perhaps you’re interested in cinematography, film editing or directing? Have you thought about the WorldSkills UK competition in Video Moving Image?

All of these competitions and more are open. But hurry, you need to enter online by 19 March 2010 to be in with a chance of walking the ‘red carpet’ at the 2010 WorldSkills UK awards.

Help raise the profile of vocational skills, WorldSkills and skills competitions in Wales

Up and Coming Welsh Music Talent

It’s March 1st and our day to celebrate all things Welsh! Wales has a reputation as the ‘land of song’; today BBC Radio Wales celebrates this by spending the whole day showcasing some of the best of Welsh musical talent.

We’ve all heard of the Stereophonics, Manic Street Preachers, Super Furry Animals, Lostprophets and Feeder, to name but a few. However, Wales Music Day will lend a focus on the latest up and coming Welsh bands, such as Kids in Glass Houses. The programme will also discuss the impact of the Welsh music industry on the wider economy.

WorldSkills UK already recognises the economic and social importance of the cultural and creative sectors, offering a number of competitions to promote and develop vocational skills in these areas.

In keeping with Wales Music Day, we’re focusing on the WorldSkills UK Popular Music competition. Known as the ‘Battle of the Bands’, this competition provides an opportunity for groups to pit their skills against others in the UK. The prize for finalists consists of a 4 hour Music Directors Workshop at Tech Music Schools in London.

We want to ensure that there is sufficient Welsh representation at this competition and are calling on Welsh bands to enter online by the deadline of 19 March 2010

Help raise the profile of vocational skills, WorldSkills and skills competitions in Wales

Are you a world class MasterChef?

As the BBC’s new series of MasterChef kicked off this week, it’s a good time to remind you about the WorldSkills UK cooking competition.

We’re searching for the very best of our own talented chefs to compete in the 2010 WorldSkills UK national competition, called the Wessex Salon Culinaire. Competitors will be expected to prepare a range of dishes using specific ingredients and demonstrate their creative flair.

The final will be held at the Hotel and Catering Show at the Bournemouth International Centre, 16-17 March 2010. The deadline for entries is 9 March 2010.

Read what Steve Groves, BBC MasterChef winner and past Salon competitor, has to say about his competition experience.  Inspired? Enter the Wessex Salon Culinaire competition now!

Help raise the profile of vocational skills, WorldSkills and skills competitions in Wales

Served in Style!

We attended the Restaurant Services SkillsCompetition Wales final yesterday. As we arrived at Llandrillo College the competition schedule and menu was being explained to the competitors. There was plenty to think about: laying out tables, choosing glasses, folding napkins, opening bottles, advising on drinks, carving salmon and grilled chateaubriand, crepes suzette and royal coffee – a full silver service treatment!

As we sat there we could feel the tension and we were nervous for the competitors – luckily, they kept their focus and it was fascinating to watch their precision, confidence, flair and professionalism. Check out some of our photos on flickr.

The competition was a huge success and all competitors successfully achieved medal rated certificates. Well done to all and congratulations to the following colleges for helping to ensure such high standards from their competitors: Llandrillo, Powys, Deeside,  Yale, Coleg Sir Gâr and Neath Port Talbot.

Help raise the profile of vocational skills, WorldSkills and skills competitions in Wales

skillscymru 2010 – launch photos now on flickr!

We’ve just uploaded some great photos of some of the demonstrations that we organised for our skillscymru 2010 launch event. Check out the set on flickr.

You’ll see that we took the opportunity to give our guests a flavour of the types of activities that will be on hand at the big event in September.

With an emphasis on fun, there will be plenty of skills to marvel at and try out for yourself. Visit the skillscymru website to find out more.

Help raise the profile of vocational skills, WorldSkills and skills competitions in Wales