First UK Caring Squad announced for WorldSkills International 2011

First UK Caring Squad announced for WorldSkills International 2011

Four talented care workers have been selected to be part of the Caring Squad in preparation for WorldSkills International 2011 - the biggest Skills Competition in the world, which takes place in October 2011. This is the first time that Caring has been included as a category by the UK and the National Skills Academy for Social Care have been supporting the development of the Squad to showcase the very best of UK social care talent in readiness for representation on the international stage. Barrie Roe MBE, UK Skills Conservatory Lead, said: “The Worldskills Caring Competition allows competitors from around the globe to showcase and test their skills against their peers. The UK care workers representing the UK are ambassadors for caring skills. Ultimately, we are seeking excellence and an outstanding level of professionalism. Confidence and presentation skills are key as competitors will be performing in front of a large audience” The selected Squad members are: From Bupa: • Emma Fitzpatrick from Glasgow • Frances McMenemy from Paisley From the Rockmount Foundation • Rebecca Davies from Warrington From Southern Cross • Sarah Evans from York Emma Fitzpatrick, Bupa Scotland (nominated by NTQUK), said: “I am very privileged to have been given this opportunity and experience. I feel so much more confident now in carrying out my everyday job role.” The Squad members, all aged 18-24, were shortlisted after taking part in tough selection assessments which took place last month. The squad will now begin an intense training programme, with a dedicated Training Manager, and support from the National Skills Academy for Social Care. They will be preparing for the final selection for Team UK in June. Debbie Sorkin, Director of Engagement at the Skills Academy, said: “We know from our experience of running the WorldSkills regional and national Caring Competitions since 2009 that there is real talent in the social care sector. These young people are proof of that and proof furthermore that care workers have what it takes to reach international competition stage. Their achievements are an inspiration to other workers in the sector and demonstrate that social care is a skilled career of choice.” WorldSkills London 2011 takes place from 5 - 8 October 2011 at ExCeL, London. It is a unique international skills competition held every two years, where 51 member countries meet and compete in over 40 different vocational skills. The intense, four day competition takes place from 4th – 8th October in London, England. Over 200,000 spectators are expected to attend the competition. NOTES TO EDITORS: About the National Skills Academy for Social Care • The Skills Academy is an employer-led organisation focused on leadership, management, commissioning and modelling excellence in learning and training, in the adult social care sector • The WorldSkills UK Caring Competitions are part of its role in raising the profile of social care. • For further information about the National Skills Academy for Social Care, visit www.nsasocialcare.co.uk About WorldSkills UK • WorldSkills UK is the name for the UK’s premier set of skills competitions. These competitions are open to all ages • Competitions run every year in around 70 skills within five main sectors:  Built Environment  Cultural and Creative Arts  Engineering  Information Technology and Business Administration  Professional, Social, Public and Hospitality Services • In 2009, over 4,000 people registered to enter a WorldSkills UK competition • Outstanding WorldSkills UK national finalists may be considered for inclusion in Squad and Team UK at WorldSkills – the biggest international skills competition in the world • A large proportion of the International competitors that represent the UK at WorldSkills come through the WorldSkills UK competition framework • For more information about the competition visit http://www.worldskills.org For more information please contact: Amy Hanson 0203 296 0536 amy.hanson@nsasocialcare.co.uk