From 17 January until 17 March schools, colleges and training providers from around the UK can apply to become International Showcase organisations at the WorldSkills London 2011 Competition, which is taking place at ExCeL London this October.

The event will see over 150,000 visitors pass through its doors over the course of the four days. Over 100 International Showcase organisations will be chosen to take part in delivering a highly visual, entertainment led programme - giving their staff and students an opportunity to shine in front of a huge national and international audience. Forty five skills competitions will take place during the event, but organisers are keen to show that it isnt just the 1,000 UK and international competitors taking part who excel at skills.

"Students at the Centre Performing Arts College in Charlton illustrated how Showcasing can work when they got the opportunity to perform at the NTA Awards. Diploma students of Dance and Musical Theatre performed to Classical and Hip Hop tracks. It was a fabulous opportunity to showcase the quality and breadth of our work," said Karen King, Principal of the college.

"It was a really prestigious event and a wonderful venue."

Its not just performance that the organisers are looking for. West Thames College students illustrated their professionalism when they formed a film crew and captured footage of the WorldSkills London one year countdown celebration event. The students worked with the Education team at WorldSkills London 2011 to ensure that the project contributed towards their national diplomas in media production.

18 year old film student Jerome Sewell said: "It was great to film at such a big event but also a huge challenge to edit the content live in front of an audience. In terms of the highlight it has to be interviewing Theo Paphitis!"

Aidan Jones, Executive Director of WorldSkills London 2011, explains: "As host nation, we want to make full use of this opportunity to demonstrate to an international audience how skills shape our world in the UK. We believe our further education system is truly world-class, so were inviting colleges, schools and learning providers to apply to be international Showcase organisations."

As well as gaining access to the event, its a once in a lifetime opportunity for our talented youngsters to show some of the worlds leading skills experts the vocational excellence on offer at UK colleges and learning providers. We want everyone who walks through those doors to see for themselves the benefits of gaining skills at the highest level.

Showcasing at the event is free and applications are welcome from all educational organisations even if they are not involved in skills competitions. As places are limited only the most creative and original applications will be considered, so organisations are being urged to submit their applications early to avoid missing out.

UK Skills.

To get involved:

 www.worldskillslondon2011.com/showcase

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

0845 475 2011

(Pictured: Dragons' Den star Theo Paphitis being interviewed by West Thames film crew)