For information only - not an official document

UNIS/OUS/117
30 November 2011

Re-issued as received

UNIDO, WorldSkills International and WorldSkills Germany agree to promote industrial skills development

VIENNA, 30 November (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) - The United Nations Development Organization (UNIDO) will work with WorldSkills International and WorldSkills Germany on generating worldwide awareness of the essential contribution that skills and industrial development make to the achievement of economic success.

This was agreed today at a meeting between UNIDO Director-General, Kandeh K. Yumkella, WorldSkills President, Simon Bartley, and WorldSkills Germany Managing Board Member, Elfi Klumpp.

"Traditional trade and craft skills along with the newer technology multi-skilled vocations make an essential contribution to the economic and social well being of people around the world," said Yumkella.

"Our cooperation with WorldSkills aims at fostering a symbiosis between industry and education and, by doing so, creating global awareness on various levels in the education and industry sector as well as in governmental institutions."

By means of skills competitions and other skills related activities, WorldSkills International introduces world-class competency standards in the industrial trades and service sectors, and helps in achieving higher standards and status for vocational education and training on a worldwide basis.

Simon Bartley said: "WorldSkills organizations worldwide will work closely with UNIDO to develop a joint programme, with the possibility to include common skills and development activities in a wide range of countries and areas of interest to the three organizations."

Elfi Klumpp said: "We invite UNIDO and all its Member States to develop partnerships and participate in the WorldSkills Event 2013 in Leipzig. Our plan is to organize in Leipzig the 1st International UNIDO - WorldSkills Excellence Forum. It would serve as a high-level interactive matchmaking and exchange platform that would bring together policy-makers from industry and vocational education. This will allow us to continue the programme Industrial Development and Vocational Skills for a Better World."

Watch a video about WorldSkills and Brazilian astronaut Marcos Pontes and see how basic education and professional skills can make a difference to children around the world:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdkKUvuOQbI

* *** *

For more information on UNIDO, please contact:

Mikhail Evstafyev
UNIDO Advocacy and Communications Coordinator
Telephone: (+43-1) 26026-5021
Mobile: (+43-699) 1459-7329
Email M.Evstafyev[at]unido.org

For more information on WorldSkills International, please contact:

Sally Eley
WorldSkills International Communications & Marketing Manager
Telephone: (+44) 7825-669266
Fax: (+31-23) 531-0816
Email: sally.eley[at]worldskills.org

For more information on WorldSkills Germany, please contact:

Hubert Romer
WorldSkills Germany Communication Coordinator
Telephone:(+49-711) 3467-1406
Mobile: (+49-173) 319-3771
Fax: (+49-711) 3467-541406
Email: romer[at]worldskillsgermany.com