• An IMH student takes part in WorldSkills London.

On October 5, Isabel Celaá, the Basque Government Minister for Education, Universities and Research, officially launched the new Vocational Training academic year 2011-2012 at the IMH, the Spanish Benchmark Centre for Mechanical Manufacturing. Celáa was accompanied by the Deputy Regional Minister for Vocational Training, Carlos Crespo, the Vocational Training Director María José Madariaga, AFM’s Managing Director and IMH Chairman Xabier Ortueta, the Director of IMH Joxean Egaña and AFM’s Vice-President, Iñaki Torrecilla.

The large turnout of guests at the event included the Mayor of Elgoibar, the Director of the Education Office, several members of the Basque Vocational Training Council, numerous directors of Vocational Training Centres belonging to Ikaslan (State centres) and Hetel (private centres), business and union representatives, representatives from Debegesa and Tknika and members of the IMH Foundation’s Board of Patrons.

In his speech welcoming the Minister, Xabier Ortueta highlighted the importance of human resources for companies in the sector and stressed the Elgoibar Machine Tool Institute’s major achievements that have enabled it to become the Spanish Benchmark Centre for Mechanical Manufacturing.

The Minister affirmed that the Vocational Training system in the Basque Country perceives Vocational Training as permanent training, closely linked to the production fabric, and that it encourages innovation and social cohesion, seeks excellence and strengthens our international position.

Also, an IMH student, accompanied by her tutor, is set to take part in the Worldskills London 2011 Skills Olympics this week. Larraitz Uranga, a mechanical manufacturing student at the IMH, won the gold medal in the Euskoskills and Spainskills CNC Milling contests and will now be competing against another 19 students from Europe and Asia, from countries including Austria, Belgium, Canada, Switzerland, China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, USA, Holland, Ireland, France, Finland and Singapore. Workskills London 2011 (the World Skills Olympics for vocational training students) will conclude on 9 October. Contests will be held in 46 specialities, competed for by 944 students from 50 countries, and 150,000 visitors are expected.