Employment Minister Sir Reg Empey has encouraged individuals to enter skills competitions to qualify for WorldSkills 2011 before the closing date of 9 April 2009.

WorldSkills, the world's greatest skills showcase event, is to be staged for the first time in London in 2011.

Held every two years, WorldSkills involves over 850 of the best young professionals from trades, service and vocational programmes from around the world who gather to showcase their talents and abilities in a competitive setting.

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The Minister said: "I want to encourage as many Northern Ireland competitors as possible to register with WorldSkills UK before 9 April 2009, for the chance to take part in skills competitions that could see them represent the UK at WorldSkills 2011.

"Northern Ireland has an enviable record in WorldSkills competitions. In recent years we have had a gold and a bronze medalist, and I want to see our medal count rise in 2011."

Sir Reg added: "Raising the skills level is of fundamental importance to the local economy and, as we develop our skills base, we hope to reap the rewards by promoting skills excellence in such competitions such as WorldSkills."

(PR/JM)