The critical importance of having a skilled workforce to maintain a competitive edge in the global telecommunication marketplace is being underlined by Fujikura Europe as it steps in to support WorldSkills London 2011 taking place between 5 - 8 October at the ExCeL  London. 

Fujikura is one of the world's leading manufacturers of fibre optic cables and equipment. It is sponsoring the Information Network Cabling category of WorldSkills London 2011 which is the largest international skills competition. The contest is returning to the UK after an absence of 20 years.

WorldSkills is a unique global competition where young people from across the world compete to become the best of the best. At stake is the honour of being the greatest in the world at their chosen skill. During the four-days in London more than 150,000 visitors will attend and 1,000 14 - 19 year-old competitors from over 50 different member countries will go head-to-head to claim victory in 45 different skills.

As part of the wider conference Fujikura is making 14 of its latest Fusion Splicers available for the young contestants and visitors of the show to try.  The FSM-60S Fusion Splicer is the world's lightest and most compact splicer of its class. It can process all the following fibres, SM (ITU-T G652), MM (ITU-T G651) DS (ITU-T G653) NZDS (ITU-T G655) AND OTHER Single Mode Fibres including ITU-T G657.

UK national sales manager of Fujikura, Ian Tweedle, said the aim is to support an event which encourages young people to consider all career paths.   

"It is of great importance to Fujikura that we encourage young people to train to learn hand based skills. It is imperative that our employees are trained to the highest possible level in these skills. An Olympics style contest like WorldSkills London 2011 encourages the best possible workmanship and is in the spirit of the culture at our organisation to produce the best possible quality," he said. 

Contestants will be competing by country. South Korea has topped the medal table for the past two competitions and came second in 2005, and Japan, Brazil and Switzerland also rank consistently highly.

Aidan Jones, CEO of WorldSkills London 2011 said "The 'value in kind' sponsorship from Official Suppliers such as Fujikura is essential in making this event happen. This event is coming to the UK for the first time in decades and thousands of schools and colleges will be attending from across the UK. We would encourage all parents, young people and employers to visit the event. As well as seeing the best talent in the world battle it out for the gold, silver and bronze medals, visitors can Have a Go at the skills on offer, from mobile robotics to carpentry, graphic design to stonemasonry. Don't miss out - come and be part of it!"

For further information about World Skills London 2011 visit www.worldskillslondon2011.comm  or to find out more about Fujikura Europe go to www.fujikura.co.uk.