The IAPMO Group is proud to announce that it has been named as the sixth and final member — and only organization from the United States — of the WorldSkills Foundation Board of Trustees.
Created in 2011, the WorldSkills Foundation’s goal is to provide support to WorldSkills International, a nonprofit organization that provides a unique means of exchange and comparison of world‐class competency standards in the industrial trades and service sectors of the global economy.
WorldSkills International sponsors a competition every odd‐numbered year that offers young professionals in a variety of trades the opportunity to compete against their peers from around the world and shine under a global spotlight. Since first being held more than 60 years ago, the WorldSkills Competition has grown from a total of 24 participants from two nations to more than 800 entrants from 52 countries.
IAPMO Group CEO GP Russ Chaney said WorldSkills International Chairman Tjerk Dusseldorp approached him during a visit to Australia about the possibility of IAPMO being the sixth and final member of the inaugural Board of Trustees. After considering the potential value of becoming a board member, IAPMO decided to make the commitment to be the only U.S. organization on the Board of Trustees.
“This is a major opportunity for The IAPMO Group to be recognized as a leader worldwide in education and training of our profession and in support of others in related professions,” Chaney said.
“IAPMO has been a long time supporter and contributor to education, and this appointment to be a member of the WorldSkills Foundation furthers our long‐standing commitment to training and education,” added IAPMO President Dan Daniels.
Chaney also serves as chairman of the World Plumbing Council, which is a sponsor of the event’s plumbing competition. In 2004, the WPC signed a memorandum of understanding with WorldSkills International that provides for the WPC chairman to award WPC medallions to each plumbing industry competitor and his/her respective country’s expert at every WorldSkills Competition. At the most recent competition, in London in October 2011, Chaney presented a total of 48 medallions.
“I’m very pleased we were approached for this opportunity,” Chaney said. “It is a testament to the recognition we have derived from being a leading supporter of trade education and credentialing.” For more information about the WorldSkills Foundation, please visit www.worldskillsfoundation.org.
Last modified: August 6, 2012