WorldSkills Jamaica Training Camp Equips Competitors for Global Stage

After five days of intensive hands on training and assessment at the WorldSkills Jamaica and Studica Robotics Invitational Training Camp, competitors are departing better equipped to represent their respective countries on the international stage.

The camp concluded with a closing ceremony at the Cardiff Hotel and Spa in Runaway Bay, St. Ann, on June 12, where medals, certificates, and tokens of appreciation were presented to participants, experts, country representatives, and interpreters.

Participants from Jamaica, Brazil, Barbados, the People’s Republic of China, and Singapore came together to strengthen their capabilities in two of the world’s fastest growing technological fields.

The event served as preparation for the upcoming WorldSkills Competition, with the 48th edition scheduled to take place in Shanghai, China, from September 22 to 27.

In the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) friendly competition, Chen Zheng of China secured first place, Jamaica’s Omar Cockett placed second, and Barbados’ Samiya Allen finished third.

In the Autonomous Mobile Robotics category, Team Singapore captured first place, followed by Brazil in second and Jamaica in third.

Studica Robotics General Manager, Derek Murphy, noted that the camp proved beneficial for both trainers and competitors.

“It will help prepare them for the pressures of the competition. I’d also like to thank them because, as people who are trying to run and design the competition, it also shows us where we need to be in creating tasks that both challenge you and also enable you to be better at what you came to train to do,” he said.

Mr. Murphy noted that participants successfully completed 80 per cent of the tasks they will be required to execute during the competition in Shanghai.

“There were some… failures and some of [these] were not your own fault… [things] just happen at the time that you go to do an assessment,” he said.

In her remarks, HEART/NSTA Trust Deputy Managing Director, Dr. Cheryl McLaughlin, described the week as remarkable, engaging, and productive, noting that participants’ grit and determination were tested throughout the camp.

“I was privy to another component and that was the cultural exchange. We got all our participants here to do a little bit of dancing on Monday night (June 8), and even as I sit here, I can testify to the many friendships that have been formed,” she said.

Dr. McLaughlin also used the opportunity to encourage high-school students in attendance to explore skills based training.

“Skills not only pay the bills, but skills [can] take you places. So I want to encourage you to give skills a chance. Don’t think about the narrative that’s there in society,” she said.