I am a third year student of the Mount Royal University Environmental Science Program. As my summer work term I have been working with WorldSkills Calgary 2009 and obtaining credits for my program. WorldSkills Calgary has been an excellent place to work and learn, and I have gained some valuable experience. I started at WorldSkills Calgary 2009 approximately 4 months ago and I have been working towards reducing the environmental impact of the event and providing valuable information to future host of WorldSkills Competitions on how to continually improve on their environmental performance. Some key projects that I have been working on include compiling an Environmental Management System, complete with a number of Environmental Programs, and documenting a Final Environmental Report to help WorldSkills International and future hosts with their sustainability issues.

Environmental Programs that have been implemented at WorldSkills Calgary 2009 include a Waste Management Program (we are recycling paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, wood, drywall, masonry, and beverage containers), a Green Team Program (we had surveyors travel Global Skills Village and survey trade show booths on what they were doing to be environmentally sustainable), and many other small programs. We also worked in part with Golder Associates to assess the sustainability of particular Skill Categories, and the information will then be documented in a report used for continual improvement. WorldSkills Calgary 2009 is also the first WorldSkills Competition to hand out a Sustainability Award, which will help to encourage a movement towards greater sustainability and highlight those who have made significant strides in increasing their sustainability.

Overall, WorldSkills Calgary 2009 has been a great experience. We have had a few small environmental incidents such as minor spills and hazardous waste management issues, but with the proper planning and response, the issues have been handled quite well and have taught me a great deal about the environmental industry. It is my hope that the work that I have put into the Environmental Program for WorldSkills Calgary 2009 will provide a great amount of information to other skill competitions and help continue the movement towards greater sustainability and environmental awareness at all WorldSkills Competitions.