National awarding body, NCFE has pledged its support to UK Skills in the bid for the UK to host the WorldSkills Competition in 2011.

According to the organisers this is the biggest skills competition in the world and is held every two years.

Hosting the WorldSkills competition would have a number of direct benefits for the UK say NCFE. These include a move from competence to excellence, reducing the skills gaps, minimising the current skills shortages, and re-engaging the disaffected.

Isabel Sutcliffe, Chief Executive of NCFE commented: “NCFE is delighted to offer its full support to UK Skills and their bid for WorldSkills London 2011. It would be fantastic for the UK to host, what is essentially, the biggest skills competition in the world and it would be an ideal opportunity to highlight vocational skills and training.”

“NCFE offer a wide range of vocational qualifications and all our courses are designed to help people fulfil their potential and realise their ambition. This is something which the WorldSkills competition actively promotes on an international level,” she added.

The UK is bidding against Gothenburg (Sweden), Melbourne (Australia) and Nantes (France).

The final decision will be announced on 10 May 2006 in Melbourne, following presentations from candidate countries.