WorldSkills Competition in Final Preparation Stage

July 7, 2009

GATINEAU — Mike Holmes participated in a Champions Breakfast in Ottawa, as part of the run-up to the 2009 WorldSkills competition in Calgary. Home Builder Magazine first told you about the competition in our May 2009 issue. The Champions Breakfast was the last orientation meeting for the Team Canada delegation, which includes the 38 competitors along with their experts and trainers, prior to the 40th WorldSkills Competition, which takes place on September 1-7, 2009. As the keynote speaker for the event, Mike Holmes, the star of HGTV’s Holmes on Homes, was on hand to salute Canada’s “great 38” and to wish them good luck as they embark on this final leg of preparation for what he called the “test of their lives”. President of Skills/Compétences Canada, Terry Cooke, also spoke at the event, encouraging participants to find the necessary balance in their lives that will allow them to put forth their best effort. “It has been a lot of work, but the rewards are countless,” said Stacy DuBois, one of the competitors who were also invited to speak at the breakfast. “My skills are improving, I’m meeting lots of new people, my self confidence has improved, and I have so many great memories from along the way. It also feels great knowing I’m part of a growing movement to promote skilled trades and technology careers for young people across the country.” The 38 members of Team Canada will compete in 35 of the 45 skill categories against more than 900 competitors from 51 member countries/regions. The four-day WorldSkills Competition is the biggest of its kind in the world.