Ennis to compete in WorldSkills Competition

Dylan Ennis will compete as a member of the United States “WorldTeam”

By Thomas W. Holdsworth

Dylan Ennis of Midland, N.C., and a student at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in Concord, N.C., will represent the United States in Leipzig, Germany in the Bricklaying competition during the biennial WorldSkills Competition. Ennis will compete as a member of the United States “WorldTeam.” The 42nd international event will be held July 2-7, 2013.

Ennis won the right to compete by winning the gold medal in the Masonry competition during the SkillsUSA Championships in June 2011, and he also successfully completed other qualifying prerequisites prior to being chosen for the team.

He credits his teacher at Central Cabarrus High School, Todd Hartsell, with helping him strive to become a good mason. “Dylan is an outstanding young man who has worked hard to do his best at everything he sets his mind to,” said Todd. “He has also worked for McGee Brothers Masonry and completed several masonry projects for the community as well. He has also competed in North Carolina Department of Labor competitions in addition to the SkillsUSA Championships competitions.”

“I will enjoy the experience of seeing another country and competing against others who have learned bricklaying in other parts of the world,” said Ennis. “I think the biggest challenge for me will be laying brick for all of the different projects required in this competition, but I am comforted by my instructor's faith in me to handle this challenge.”

In the WorldSkills Bricklaying contest, competitors must construct a brick wall, or surfaces of facing bricks and blocks of different materials, show decorative brickwork with projections and recesses in all possible bonds, sections of walls with segmental, semi-circular, triangular, three center, flat, Gothic arches, curved walls, cavity walls as well as rendering to provide a smooth finish by use of sand, lime, cement, and paving with natural or artificial materials.

Every two years, hundreds of young people from 53 member countries or regions compete in the prestigious WorldSkills Competition. Member countries include: Japan, England, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Australia, Thailand, Brazil and many others. Considered “the best of the best,” contestants compete for four days in 45 occupational skill areas from economic sectors including manufacturing, information technology, transportation, construction and services. Accompanied by their teachers, trainers and industry technical committee experts, these young people compete before the public in contests that are run and judged by industry using demanding international standards.

Over its 60-year history, WorldSkills International (formerly known as the "Skill Olympics") has come to symbolize the pinnacle of excellence in vocational training. It provides a unique means of exchange and comparison of world-class competency standards in the industrial trades and service sectors of the global economy. The continued growth of WorldSkills International attests to the fact that traditional trade and craft skills along with the newer technology multi-skilled occupations makes an essential contribution to the economic and social well being of people everywhere.

In 2013, more than 1,000 competitors will test their skills in Leipzig, Germany. Five thousand international experts, delegates and judges will gather from around the world, and 3,000 volunteers will be recruited to assist in the event. A total of 150,000 student and public spectators will attend the competition at the Leipzig Trade Fair and Exhibition Center. For more information about the competition, go to www.worldskills.org or www.worldskillsleipzig2013.com.

Dylan Ennis is a member of SkillsUSA, the organization that represents the United States in the WorldSkills Competition. Competitors in WorldSkills must be under the age of 23. There will be a total of 20 members of WorldTeam. Other occupational areas in which the United States plans to compete include: Autobody Repair; Automobile Technology; Beauty Therapy; Cabinetmaking; Car Painting; CNC Milling; CNC Turning; Cooking; Graphic Design; Hairdressing; IT Networks Systems Administration; Mechatronics (a two-person team contest); Plumbing & Heating; Print Media Technology; Refrigeration & Air Conditioning; Restaurant Service; Web Design; and Welding.