The UK Skills Competitions Team is currently in the process of identifying potential candidates for the WorldSkills Competitions in Calgary, Canada in 2009 and for London in 2011.

At the WorldSkills Competition, hundreds of skilled young persons from all over the world compete in various skills ranging from engineering to beauty therapy. The event is held every two years.

The team are looking for talented, skilled, young people within the hospitality industry who possess the drive to compete at a world-class standard and they are seeking to select competitors to represent the United Kingdom for the competitions in: Cooking, Confectionery/Pastry Cook and Restaurant Service.

In order to optimise the size and quality of the UK squad in the run up to WorldSkills, the team need to generate potential competitors through the system of awards, prizes, recommendations and the like from experts and practitioners within the Hospitality Trade.

Therefore, nominations are welcome for members of your organisation who you believe possess the talent and skill to be considered for the WorldSkills Competitions. All potential competitors must hold a British Passport and be under the age of 23 years in 2009, which means that they should have been born on or after 1 January 1987.

Kindly note, once identified each candidate will undergo a selection process for the squads. The first of which is scheduled for Thursday 2 October 2008 (cooking and restaurant service competitions) and Friday 3 October (confectionery competition).

If you wish to recommend someone to be considered as a potential WorldSkills candidate for Cooking, Confectionery/Pastry Cook or Restaurant Service, please forward the attached Application Invitation Letter.

All applications must be completed and returned no later than 17 September 2008.

For further information on nominations please contact: Adanna Shallowe, UK Skills, 5 Portland Place, W1B 1PW Tel: 020 7612 927 Email: [email protected]