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Jamaica Wins Hosting Rights for WSI General Assembly 2010

Jamaica showed its strength as a world brand recently, winning a bid to host the 2010 General Assembly of WorldSkills International. WSI is an independent agency committed to raising the status and standards of vocational skills and training worldwide.

Jamaica won the bid against Singapore 27 votes to 19 to host GA2010. The decision to make Jamaica the host was made at the final General Assembly meeting at the WorldSkills Shizuoka 2007 Competition in Japan in November.

The General Assembly is the highest authority of WSI, consisting of the official and technical delegates of each of its 46 member countries. The GA elects the Executive, approves annual accounts, and decides on future competitions and GA venues.

Kevin Mullings, Senior Programmes Director at HEART Trust/NTA, the administering agency of WorldSkills Jamaica made the presentation. Mullings says he believes their proposal won because it showed the growth of vocational training in Jamaica emphasizing the work of the HEART Trust NTA.

"We focused on the synergy between the NTA and the objectives of WorldSkills, which is to promote an appreciation of skills as an avenue for individual fulfillment and economic advancement," says Mullings.

A release on the WSI website states: "Promoting a skills respect culture is essential to economic success and hosting the WorldSkills General Assembly will provide a great marketing and exposure boost towards supporting Jamaica's goals in this direction."

In its presentation, Jamaica promised that the GA2010 would: . Launch the WorldSkills brand in the Caribbean . Bring national and regional attention to skills development . Tie in with the first Caribbean Skills Competition with 15 potential new members

The HEART proposal had broad support from Government and the private sector, and included videos from Prime Minister Bruce Golding and PSOJ President Chris Zacca. Along with HEART, the JTB,JTI,PSOJ,JEF and Digicel were sponsors of the bid.

The process began in July 2007 with Jamaica's expression of interest to WSI. WorldSkills Jamaica submitted the formal bid October 15 2007, which was circulated by the Secretary General to all members October 26. Both Jamaica and Singapore made formal presentations to the GA on November 14 2007. The vote took place one week later on November 21.