SkillsUSA Student Competes in Int'l Refrigeration Competition

SkillsUSA, the organization that represents the United States in the WorldSkills Competition, will send 16 students as part of the United States “WorldTeam” to compete in the 40th international event to be held September 1-7, 2009.

This year, Ryan Rutherford, of Stickney, IL, and a student at M.A.T.C. College, will represent the U.S. in Calgary, Canada in the WorldSkills Refrigeration Competition. Every two years, hundreds of young people from 51 member countries or regions compete in the prestigious WorldSkills Competition. Member countries include: Japan, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Brazil, and many others.

Considered “the best of the best” these contestants compete for four days in 45 occupational skill areas from economic sectors including manufacturing, information technology, transportation, construction and services. Accompanied by their teachers, trainers and industry technical committee experts, these young people compete before the public in contests that are run by and judged by industry using demanding international standards. Over its 55-year history, WorldSkills International has come to symbolize the pinnacle of excellence in technical training.

This year, in Calgary, more than 1,000 competitors will test their skills. Five thousand international experts, delegates and judges from around the world and 3,000 volunteers will attend. A total of 150,000 student and public spectators will attend the competition at Stampede Park situated on 193 acres with 800,000 square feet of competition space. For more information about the competition go to
worldskills.org