The newest addition to SAIT's campus is a reminder of the impact the recent WorldSkills Calgary competition had on the community.
Peig Abbott prepares the newest addition to SAIT's campus on Thursday, October 1, 2009. The statue, entitled "Self Made Woman", was carved by BC artist Paul Slipper for the recent WorldSkills competition and is on long term loan to SAIT.
This addition is a statue entitled "Self Made Woman" which was placed near the west entrance to the Heart Building on Thursday, Oct. 1.
The statue, which depicts a women carving herself out of granite, weighs over 4,500 pounds and stands over eight feet tall.
The City of Calgary commissioned the statue to be carved during WorldSkills 2009 by B.C. artist Paul Slipper at Olympic Plaza.
The event was open to the public as an opportunity to "witness the creative process in progress," said Lisa Hickey-Besserer, project coordinator with the City of Calgary public art program.
The statue is on long term loan from the city to SAIT, and will rest in its current placement until the completion of the new Trades and Technology Complex (TTC). After the TTC is constructed, the statue will move to its permanent home in front of the complex.
"It's a great piece to recognize the relationship between SAIT and the City of Calgary," said Guy Mallabone, SAIT's vice president of external relations.
In addition to the statue, SAIT is set to receive equipment donations related to WorldSkills. These donations will come in the form of tools, heavy equipment and cars that will reach into the millions of dollars.
Mallabone said that while the physical legacy of the competition is welcomed, it is the social legacy that is the main benefit.
WorldSkills has had a long term affect on the economy by changing how the community views trades.
With over 58,000 school children attending from all over Alberta, Mallabone hopes that children will look at trades as a first option.
"We have convinced young people that they are failures if they don't have a university education," said Mallabone. "We need to remember we have a huge human capital crisis in this province."
He refers to the great number of baby boomers leaving the workforce which creates large gaps in the economy that need to be filled by qualified skilled workers.
Jae Ho Moon, a first year SAIT Business student , the legacy of WorldSkills stretches into the global community.
"Every country has different ideas and skills," he said.
"If Canada can bring this knowledge here, it will help improve the work of our tradespeople."
For SAIT, the legacy of WorldSkills also includes a prestige factor. Not only did SAIT help host the event, which brought over 900 competitors from all over the world to Calgary, but SAIT personnel served as volunteers and workshop supervisors.
Canada had its most successful WorldSkills ever, ending up with eight medals in the 45 skill categories. SAIT was well represented with seven of Canada's 38 members coming from the Institution.
