Sarah McGinnis, Calgary Herald; with files from Canwest News Service

Published: Saturday, March 08, 2008

Local companies suffering under a labour crisis could end up the winners in an international competition that will bring the world’s best trade workers to Calgary.

Momentum is building for WorldSkills Calgary 2009, which will see more than 900 talented youth from 48 countries competing for medals in every skilled trade imaginable.

On Friday, federal Human Resources and Social Development Minister Monte Solberg pledged $13.4 million towards hosting WorldSkills from Sept. 1 to 6, 2009.

“This is the ultimate recruiting event for Calgary employers,” said Adam Legge, vice-president and chief economist for Calgary Economic Development.

“We have a labour shortage and it’s forecasted to continue in the future. . . . If companies want to hire the world’s best, there is no better place than Calgary WorldSkills 2009 for them to be recruiting at.”

WorldSkills is expected to cost $68 million — with the provincial government donating $24 million.

Its main focus is about solving the international shortage of skilled workers before it becomes an economic crisis.

The shortage of qualified labour hit a record high in 2007, with 309,000 jobs remaining vacant for at least four months, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

Canada’s unemployment rate hit a 33-year low in February at 5.8 per cent.

Programs such as the federal apprenticeship incentive grant — of up to $2,000 per person over two years — have been designed to lure youth into the trades.

WorldSkills takes that a step further, allowing local students to get a hands-on feel for a variety of possible future careers through these international competitions.

smcginnis@theherald.canwest.com

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