Stormont Minister Sir Reg Empey has joined other UK skills ministers at the WorldSkills competition in Calgary to cheer on Team UK.

Sir Reg will be spending three days at the competition before visiting Bombardier in Montreal as part of his North American trip.

The WorldSkills competition, which runs from 2 – 5 September, is the biggest international skills competition in the world. It involves around 900 competitors, aged 22 years old or under, from 51 countries taking part in 40 official skill categories.

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The Minister said: "Here in Calgary I will see world class skills being demonstrated in a global arena and in Montreal I hope to discuss the emphasis that Bombardier places on skills development, both in Belfast and Canada.

"During my visit, I am holding a meeting with other UK ministers about the 41st WorldSkills competition, which will be held in London in 2011. Amongst other agenda items we will consider how we can maximise the economic benefits it will undoubtedly bring, both in terms of skills development and number of spectators."

Fermanagh joiner Trevor Woods, a City and Guilds qualified apprentice at South West Regional College, and employed by McAleer and Teague, Dromore, will battle it out against tough competition from the best young skilled people in the world to win a medal for his country.

(PR/BMcC)