Every community and business in the UK thrives on skills, enterprise and inspiration: WorldSkills London 2011 will be the catalyst that sparks the ambitions of people across the country. WorldSkills London 2011 will amaze people by showing them the endless possibilities their futures could hold and inspire them to gain expertise at the highest level which the country needs.

The following statistics show just how big WorldSkills London 2011 will be:

• 150,000 visitors
• 1,000 Competitors
• Over 55 countries/regions
• 46 skills
• 4 days of Competition

WorldSkills is a unique global Competition where young people from across the world compete to become the best of the best. At stake: the honour of being the greatest in the world at their chosen skill.

The Competition takes place every two years in a different WorldSkills International Member country/region – WorldSkills London 2011 will be the 41st WorldSkills Competition and the third time it has been hosted in the UK.

It will be held from 5-8 October 2011 at ExCeL London. In the run up to WorldSkills London 2011, a skills festival will take place across the UK giving thousands of people the opportunity to Have a Go at skills.

Competitors are young people – generally aged 22 or under (with the exception of three skill areas where they are 25 years and under) – who excel at a particular skill. Most participating countries/regions, including the UK, hold extensive local and regional heats before selecting their national teams, so representatives at the global level truly are the very best of countries/regions.

WorldSkills London 2011 will involve 1,000 Competitors from over 55 countries/regions competing in 46 vocational skills over 4 days of intense Competition. Competitors vie for the chance to win gold, silver or bronze medals, while medallions for excellence are also awarded to Competitors who achieve the international standard.

For more information, please visit www.worldskillslondon2011.com