WorldSkills organises the world championships of vocational skills, and is held every two years in different parts of the world. The organisation, which also hosts conferences about vocational skills, describes itself as the global hub for skills. WorldSkills brings together young people, industry, government, education, and institutions, to promote the benefits of and need for skilled trade professionals. The aims of the competition include demonstrating the advantages of learning a vocational skill, and encouraging 'parity of esteem' between vocational and academic qualifications. The city ofKazan, Russia, hosted the 45th WorldSkills Competition in 2019. At the previous event, WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017, there were competitions in 51 skills areas with close to 1,300 young people taking part. WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017, took place between 15 and 18 October 2017 at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. WorldSkills currently has 79 Member countries and regions, most of which organise national skills competitions that help to prepare the workforce and talent of today for the jobs of the future. WorldSkills International, formerly known as the International Vocation Training Organisation, was founded in the 1940s and emerged from a desire to create new employment opportunities for young people in some of the economies that were devastated by the Second World War.
Overview
Governed by an international Board of Directors and administered by the WorldSkills Secretariat, WSI's mission is "To raise the profile and recognition of skilled people, and show how important skills are in achieving economic growth and personal success." Among its main objectives are:
Raise the understanding in governments, education and industry to the importance of skills training.
Raise the awareness of youth and those who influence youth to the opportunities available in skilled professions.
Medals are awarded during the competition: gold, silver and bronze. Medallions of Excellence are also awarded to those Competitors who achieve above-average scores in their contest areas.
Competitions
The WorldSkills Competition is currently held every two years.
The city of Kazan, Russia, hosted the 45th WorldSkills Competition in 2019. The award was made as the result of a vote taken at the WorldSkills General Assembly meeting held in São Paulo, Brazil, 10 August 2015. WorldSkills Kazan 2019, hosted in Russia, 29 August - 3 September 2019.
The 2021 WorldSkills event will be held in one of the world’s most dynamic and ambitious cities. Shanghai, was confirmed as the host by the WorldSkills General Assembly in October 2017. The slogan for WorldSkills Shanghai 2021 is “New Youth, New Skills, New Dream”. The event, which is expected to be held in late September 2021, will take place at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in the city. The bid noted six main reasons why China want to host the event.
WorldSkills 2023
Three countries are reported to be preparing bids to host WorldSkills 2023. Japan is preparing a bid to host the event for the third time. France is preparing a bid to host the event for the second time. The President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, officially announced his intention that France host WorldSkills 2023. He is committed to supporting youth, TVET and skills ever since he visited the French National Finals in Bordeaux in 2017, before he was elected President. Switzerland is also joining to bid for the event for the fourth time. Basel has been chosen as the hosting city. Candidate bid cities will be approved by WSI at the WorldSkills General Assembly in Amsterdam 2018, and the vote will take place at the WorldSkills General Assembly in Kazan 2019, before the competition.
