EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
Competitors in the skill of mobile robotics work as a team. The vocational skills that competed were wide from hair dressing, beauty therapy to
dry wall partitioning and plastering.
competition was dismal, except for some
school learners that were bussed in to the
competition hall. During the afternoons,
the hall was virtually empty of visitors.
Some of this apathy could be attributed
to the competition being during business
days (Tuesday to Thursday) and the fact
that there was not a simultaneous careers
exhibition showcasing training institutions,
setas and employer associations,
Vermeulen said.
In general, the standard of
performance by the competitors was
good, but intense training now needs of the WorldSkills Competitors Oath
reminds the young participants of their
undertaking to transparency, integrity
and honesty. The world skills judges,
who are selected from the participating
country in each vocational skill,
undertake to provide equal opportunity
for all competitors, irrespective of race,
gender, culture or language and to
ensure that no competitor is given an
unfair advantage.
Unless the shortage of vocational skills
in South Africa are addressed with vigour,
the shortage will remain a brake on the
to follow in preparation for Abu Dhabi.
According to Vermeulen, the preparation
training should focus on “excellence”.
The cost of the 2017 WSSA is estimated
at R20-million and the total cost of
WorldSkills at R51-million, including
getting the entire official team of about
50 to Abu Dhabi. To get the entire
competitor team up to the standard of
excellence, will require further training,
which will also have to be funded from
the R51-million budget.
WorldSkills is also about ethics.
At the opening ceremony, a recital
economy while the national focus is on
academic qualifications. What is needed
is for WSSA to be changed into a catalyst
towards economic growth.
“WorldSkills is a powerful means for
building a global skills respect culture.
It enables the best of the world’s
young skilled people to motivate
and inspire successive generations
to see that vocational skills can lead
to secure and fulfilling lives in a fast-
changing competitive world,” said
Jack Dusseldorp, president of WorldSkills
International (2009). CLA
The four cubicles, completed ahead of start of competition.
18
www.coldlinkafrica.co.za
COLD LINK AFRICA • May | June 2017