WIREDGOV

The Institute for Learning (IfL) is offering its members the chance to participate as IfL Master volunteers at WorldSkills London 2011, the largest international skills competition in the world. More than 1,000 competitors from over 50 nations will compete in 45 skills, ranging from automotive engineering and landscape gardening to plumbing and web design, and teachers and trainers with the appropriate skills and qualifications will have an opportunity to help mould future masters in their specialist vocation.

Being held at ExCeL London from 5 to 8 October 2011, the competition will feature hundreds of activities taking place in a space the size of 10 Wembley football pitches.

According to WorldSkills, volunteers must be located within daily travelling distance of London and be willing to work a minimum of five shifts (of no longer than eight hours) in the two-week run-up to WorldSkills London 2011 and the event itself in October 2011. All volunteers will need to attend two half-day training sessions, and in addition to this valuable event training, they will be given an official uniform, food and drinks while on duty, a Travelcard and a certificate as a memento of their WorldSkills London 2011 experience.

IfL’s deputy chief executive, Lee Davies, said, “IfL is extremely proud to be associated with WorldSkills London 2011 and to support this very exciting global competition as part of our commitment to excellence in further education teaching and training. For IfL Master volunteers, this represents a terrific opportunity for professional development and the chance to network with other teaching professionals from all over the world.

“IfL members work hard to deliver the best possible outcomes for millions of learners, and some can take the credit for training the outstanding young and highly skilled competitors who will shine at this renowned four-day event. We hope that our involvement with WorldSkills London 2011 will help raise the status of teachers and trainers in further education, and demonstrate the valuable contribution they make to their learners and to society.”