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As the WorldSkills Competition 2026 in Shanghai gets underway, following a summer of world-class sport and entertainment at the FIFA World Cup 2026, the excitement is set to continue into 2027 as preparations for EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027 enter full swing.

As international teams and delegations kick-off the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, China this week, the Organising Team of EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027, together with WorldSkills Europe and its 36 Member Countries, are celebrating the monumental one year to go milestone until the opening of the tenth edition of EuroSkills next year. 

EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027 is scheduled to take place from 22-26 September 2027 at Messe Düsseldorf. It is set to be the biggest and best EuroSkills Competition yet, bringing together around 800 young professionals from 36 countries, who will participate in 51 skill competitions and demonstrations for the chance to become the Best in Europe in their chosen areas of expertise. 150,000 visitors from across Germany and abroad are expected to attend the event.

Germany and Luxembourg – EuroSkills 2027 co-hosts

EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027 marks the first time that two countries – Germany and Luxembourg – are jointly hosting a EuroSkills Competition. Under the motto ‘Skills! Shape Your Future’, Germany and Luxembourg want to motivate young people to shape their professional future and discover the diversity of professions – both in Düsseldorf and in the run-up to EuroSkills through cross-border activities.

Visitors to EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027 will be able to watch the Competitors in action and can try hands-on job-related skills at the many ‘Try-a-Skill’ demonstrations. The tens of thousands of school-aged young people who visit will be encouraged to turn their passions into a profession.

Celebrating 20 years of WorldSkills Europe

EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027 will also mark the 20th anniversary of the founding of WorldSkills Europe, reflecting two decades of inspiring young professionals, raising skills standards, and fostering vocational excellence across Europe.

Laurence Gates, Chief Executive Officer, WorldSkills Europe, said: “EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027 will be the unmissable skills event of 2027, showcasing the importance of international cooperation in strengthening TVET systems, and shaping the future of skills development in Europe. The countdown has started and the entire WorldSkills Europe community is excited.”

Spurred on by the energy and excitement of WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, the EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027 Organising Team’s preparations are gaining momentum as technical, operational, partnership, and marketing and communication work continue to gather pace.

EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027: first look 

EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027 is supported and endorsed by a number of key partners, including the German Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, the State of North Rhine-Westphalia’s Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs and the State’s Ministry of Economics, Innovation, Digitization and Energy, Luxembourg’s Ministry of Education, Children and Youth, the City of Düsseldorf, and Messe Düsseldorf. 

Düsseldorf is the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s most populous state, and is renowned as an international business and financial hub with a broad mix of industries. Luxembourg will complement the EuroSkills event through cross-border initiatives, workshops, and educational programmes, further strengthening vocational education and training across Europe. 

For more information, visit: euroskills2027.com

 

WorldSkills Europe has published the WorldSkills Europe Member Survey 2025 Report, which highlights how Member organisations are driving skills excellence across the continent.

In October 2024, WorldSkills Europe invited its Members to participate in the first ever WorldSkills Europe Member Survey, with the aim of providing WorldSkills Europe and its Members, Sponsors, and Partners with baseline information about the activities and impact of the WorldSkills movement across Europe. 

The Member Survey 2025 Report presents the findings from the Member Survey responses, which showcase how WorldSkills Europe Members are driving skills excellence through their National Skills Competitions and activities, and participation at EuroSkills and WorldSkills Competitions. The Report includes information highlighting impacts, organisational structures and perspectives, and strategies for the future.

Each Member Country’s information is presented in a digestible two-page overview format, which is designed to be accessible to the reader, and which allows for easy comparison between countries of interest.

The Report also presents insights on the data, highlighting common challenges, opportunities, and goals, and future opportunities for WorldSkills Europe and its Members, Sponsors, and Partners to collaborate in measuring the impact and ongoing growth of the WorldSkills movement across Europe.

View and download the Member Survey 2025 Report (pdf 8MB). View and dowload the Member Survey 2025 Report – Appendix (pdf 1MB).

Laurence Gates, CEO of WorldSkills Europe, said: “The WorldSkills Europe Member Survey 2025 Report serves as an important benchmark for future Member Surveys, which are a key part of the WorldSkills Europe Strategy 2030 Action Plan. We plan to develop and enhance the Member Survey in collaboration with Members and conduct it every two to three years, so we can measure growth and progress, and showcase the impact of the WorldSkills movement across Europe more effectively.”

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Data for the WorldSkills Europe Member Survey 2025 were collected between October 2024 and March 2025. Subsequent changes within Member organisations (e.g. staffing, sponsorship, partnerships, impact data) since then are not recorded in the Report. For more up to date information on each Member, please contact the relevant Member Country directly.

WorldSkills Europe membership has grown from 33 to 36 Member Countries since the WorldSkills Member Survey 2025 was conducted. The Survey therefore does not include information for North Macedonia (joined September 2025), Malta (joined June 2026), or Moldova (joined June 2026).

 

More than a competition, LuxSkills 2026 was a flagship moment for vocational education and training in Luxembourg, bringing together more than 100 of Luxembourg’s top vocational students to compete in 25 skill competitions.

From 19-22 April, Luxembourg’s national skills competition, LuxSkills 2026, shone a light on skills excellence, vocational education and innovation, paving the way towards EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027.

The Competition took place over 7,500sqm of exhibition space and was part of ‘Schoulfoire,’ the national education fair held at LuxExpo, The Box, Luxembourg. The event served as a powerful bridge between education and the professional world, bringing together vocational education schools, chambers, and partners, who presented nine different ‘Skill Worlds’ offering students, families, and companies a unique and authentic insight into skilled professions in action.

More than 20,000 visitors attended, including school pupils at a key stage in their educational journey, who will soon choose whether to pursue vocational education and training pathways or remain in general education.

Celebrating Luxembourg’s top skills talent

At the heart of LuxSkills 2026 were 111 of Luxembourg’s most highly skilled vocational students competing in 25 skills representing a broad range of sectors – from Aircraft Maintenance, Landscape Gardening, and Roof Tiling to Beauty Therapy, Industrial Control, and Hotel Reception.

The Competition concluded with a vibrant medal ceremony, attended by Claude Meisch, Minister of Education, Children and Youth, alongside representatives from professional chambers, the education sector, business, and family members who supported the skilled Competitors every step of the way. 

Each Competitor received a trophy for reaching the national finals and the winners of each skill were awarded a medal, recognising their achievement. The overall Best of Luxembourg trophy, in the shape of Luxembourg, was awarded to the winner of the Plumbing and Heating skill, who achieved the highest overall score across all skills at LuxSkills 2026.

Claudine Thoma, Head of Unit & Technical Delegate, WorldSkills Luxembourg, said “LuxSkills 2026 was not only a competition – it was a powerful showcase of what our young people are capable of when passion, talent and commitment come together. For Luxembourg’s education and vocational training system, events like these are essential: they give visibility and value to skills, inspire future generations and create real connections between schools, professions and industry. Seeing the pride, emotion and energy throughout these days made our team incredibly proud of everyone involved – our Competitors, Experts, partners, and teams.” 

Preparations for EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027 

As co-host of EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027, Luxembourg took the opportunity of LuxSkills 2026 to highlight preparations for next year’s European Championships of Young Professionals. 

Representatives of the EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027 Organising Team were present at a dedicated EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027 exhibition space, and the EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027 Steering Committee held planning meetings and participated in a guided tour of the event. 

There was also a dedicated area for Luxembourg’s EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027 pedagogical projects, including the Skills Booster project for primary schools, a tailor-made EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027 exhibition, which will be implemented in all secondary schools from September 2026, and an interactive social platform on which VET students from all over Europe can meet, exchange and solve challenges, offering a gamified learning experience.

The winners of LuxSkills 2026 are eligible to join Luxembourg’s national team competing at EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027. 

LuxSkills 2026 medallists

LuxSkills 2026 was organised by WorldSkills Luxembourg, a unit of the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth – Department of Vocational Training.

WorldSkills Europe is proud to announce the renewal of its partnership with GROHE, a leading global brand for complete bathroom solutions and kitchen fittings. 

The renewed Premium Sponsorship Agreement was celebrated on Thursday 11 June 2026 in Helsinki, during the WorldSkills Europe General Assembly 2026.  

In reaffirming its role as a Premium Sponsor of WorldSkills Europe, GROHE is building on its significant contribution to skills excellence and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in recent years. GROHE first became involved as the sponsor of the Plumbing and Heating competition at WorldSkills Kazan 2019 and subsequently as co-host for the WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition.  

GROHE became a Global Industry Partner of WorldSkills International in 2022, and a Premium Sponsor of WorldSkills Europe in 2023, which saw them support EuroSkills Gdańsk 2023 and EuroSkills Herning 2025. GROHE is part of the strong brand portfolio of LIXIL, which has been a Global Industry Partner of WorldSkills International since 2025.  

The renewed agreement with WorldSkills Europe represents GROHE’s commitment to support the organisation of EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027, which is scheduled to take place from 22-26 September 2027 at Messe Düsseldorf. 

“We are proud to continue our long-standing collaboration with GROHE, whose commitment to skills excellence has made a significant impact on the success of EuroSkills competitions,” said Ben Blackledge, Chair of the Board, WorldSkills Europe. “By giving young Competitors the opportunity to work with industry-leading products and technologies, GROHE is helping them develop the confidence, technical expertise, and professional standards needed for the future workforce in Europe. GROHE’s continued support plays an invaluable role in preparing the next generation of skilled professionals.” 

“Collaborating with WorldSkills across Europe has been an honor over the years,” said Thomas Schachner, Leader, LIXIL Europe. “GROHE and LIXIL are committed to addressing the global skills gap. The next generation of installers will navigate a vastly different landscape, requiring new skill sets. By empowering them with the right mindset, training them on industry-leading innovations, and investing in their education, we are securing our industry’s future and building stronger communities.” 

GROHE is one of 10 WorldSkills Europe Sponsors that, together with 36 Member Countries, are united in a commitment to strengthen Europe with the power and excellence of skills. 

 

WorldSkills Europe is proud to announce the renewal of its partnership with PPG, a global leader in paints, coatings, and specialty materials.

With more than 140 years of innovation, PPG develops and delivers the paints, coatings, and specialty products trusted by customers across construction, consumer products, industrial, and transportation markets. Headquartered in Pittsburgh and operating in more than 50 countries, PPG combines dedication and creativity to solve its customers’ biggest challenges and drive progress across industries.

PPG and the PPG Foundation actively support skilled trades education, with a strong focus on advancing manufacturing and coatings applications. By investing in hands-on learning, industry-aligned training environments, and future-ready capabilities, PPG helps strengthen talent pipelines while raising awareness of skilled trades as valuable and meaningful career paths. Partnerships such as WorldSkills Europe reflect PPG’s commitment to addressing skills gaps, inspiring the next generation, and fostering technical excellence.

The renewed Premium Sponsorship Agreement was celebrated on Thursday 11 June 2026 in Helsinki, during the WorldSkills Europe General Assembly 2026.

In reaffirming its role as a Premium Sponsor of WorldSkills Europe, PPG builds on its previous support in the organisation of EuroSkills Herning 2025, of National Competitions across the WorldSkills Europe membership, and of the international WorldSkills Competition 2024.

The renewed agreement represents PPG’s commitment to support the organisation of the Car Painting skill competition at EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027.

“We are delighted to extend our partnership with PPG,” said Ben Blackledge, Chair of the Board, WorldSkills Europe. “PPG recognises the crucial role that skills play in empowering young people in both work and life, and in strengthening Europe’s competitiveness. We are grateful for PPG’s impressive capabilities in advanced manufacturing and coatings applications, which helps ensure that EuroSkills Competitions reflect the latest industry standards and remain at the cutting-edge of technology.”

PPG’s partnership with WorldSkills Europe is part of its broader global commitment to support skilled trades education and expand access to technical training in advanced manufacturing and coatings applications. In March 2026, PPG and the PPG Foundation announced a commitment to invest $10 million globally through 2030 to support skills initiatives, with a focus on these areas. The funding will support programs that equip students with hands-on training and the technical expertise required for modern manufacturing and coatings application roles, while helping build practical, job-ready, and increasingly technology-enabled skills through partnerships with technical and vocational schools, community colleges, training providers, and support for national skilled trades competitions.

“We are pleased to extend our partnership with WorldSkills Europe (WSE) and support the Car Painting skill at EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027. Together with WSE, we are working to elevate the visibility and value of skilled professions and inspire more young people to pursue careers in our industry. We are committed to advancing modern automotive refinishing careers and addressing the industry’s growing skills gap across Europe,” said Jérôme Zamblera, PPG Vice President, EMEA, Automotive Refinish. “Through national car painting competitions, collaboration with schools, and initiatives such as donations of the PPG LINQ™ digital ecosystem, including the MOONWALK® paint mixing system, we help students gain hands-on experience with the latest technologies. With EuroSkills 2027 taking place close to our training center in Hilden, we are excited to help showcase the next generation of talent.”

PPG is one of 10 WorldSkills Europe Sponsors that, together with 36 Member Countries, are united in a commitment to strengthen Europe with the power and excellence of skills.

Learn more about PPG.

 

The series of strategic meetings brought together more than 140 delegates from all WorldSkills Europe Members, Sponsors and Partners in Helsinki, Finland from 9-12 June 2026.

The WorldSkills Europe General Assembly Helsinki 2026 concluded after a two-day series of strategic meetings and discussions, which focused on the importance of collaboration to promote excellence in skills, and of quality, innovation and continuous development of skills competitions.

The General Assembly 2026 was hosted by Skills Finland, a highly experienced Member organisation, having previously hosted the WorldSkills Europe General Assembly in 2015, also in Helsinki.

The event convened meetings of WorldSkills Europe’s Strategy Working Group, the Competitions Committee, and the main General Assembly meeting, which this year included a presentation of the final report on EuroSkills Herning 2025, an update from WorldSkills Luxembourg on its pedagogical projects related to EuroSkills 2027, and progress reports from the Organising Teams of EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027 and EuroSkills Geneva 2029.

Delegates received updates on the status of the Trinity Project, Independent Test Project Developers (ITPDs), WorldSkills Europe’s artificial intelligence policy, and progress towards implementing the zero toolbox policy, and also approved changes to the Competition Rules.

In the margins of the General Assembly, delegates also had the opportunity to attend best practice exchange workshops, covering topics including hosting a EuroSkills Competition, funding models and how to collect and analyse meaningful data, following the publication of the WorldSkills Europe Member Survey 2025, which provides a benchmark for future data collection and analysis.

Welcoming two new Members of WorldSkills Europe

The General Assembly 2026 formally ratified the membership of Malta and Moldova as the newest Members of WorldSkills Europe, bringing the total number of WorldSkills Europe Member Countries up to 36.

New Sponsors and Partners

WorldSkills Europe Sponsors and Partners were present in Helsinki, providing their perspectives on the future demands for skilled talent in industry.

GF and Kemppi were officially welcomed as the newest Premium Sponsors of WorldSkills Europe, and the European Forum of Technical and Vocational Education & Training (EfVET) was officially welcomed as a new partner. 

Board election 

The General Assembly re-elected Ben Blackledge (UK) as a WorldSkills Europe Board Member for a second term.

Remembering Simon Bartley

At the beginning of the General Assembly, the WorldSkills Europe Board informed delegates of the very sad news of the recent passing of Simon Bartley, past President of WorldSkills International, and past Treasurer of WorldSkills Europe. To honour Simon’s memory and to celebrate his remarkable life, delegates gave Simon a standing ovation in recognition of his decades-long commitment to the WorldSkills movement.

General Assembly 2027

The next WorldSkills Europe General Assembly will take place in Düsseldorf, Germany, during EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027 (22-26 September 2027).

View photos from the WorldSkills Europe General Assembly Helsinki 2026.

Thank you to our hosts – Skills Finland

WorldSkills Europe would like to thank the General Assembly Helsinki 2026 hosts – Skills Finland – for their excellent organisation and hospitality.

Skills Finland used the opportunity of hosting the General Assembly 2026 to encourage all WorldSkills Europe Members to join them at next year’s International Abilympics, a skills competition open to anyone aged 15 years or over with special needs or disabilities. 

International Abilympics Helsinki 2027 (10-13 May 2027) is being organised by Skills Finland with the support of the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture and in partnership with many of the country’s vocational education and training providers.

The International Abilympics Helsinki 2027 will be held concurrently with Taitaja2027 (Finland’s National Skills Competition) under the banner Skills Games – a major event featuring up to 80 skills in total. Skills Games highlights the potential of vocational professionals requiring special support and provides young people with a broad view of the diverse opportunities in vocational education.

 

WorldSkills Europe is delighted to announce that Ben Blackledge, CEO of WorldSkills UK, has been re-elected as a Board Member of WorldSkills Europe and will continue as Chair of the Board.

Ben Blackledge was re-elected following a vote by WorldSkills Europe Members at the General Assembly 2026, which took place in Helsinki, Finland on 11 June.

Ben has worked at WorldSkills UK for 12 years, serving as CEO since 2023, where he champions skills excellence and helps to create world-class opportunities for young people across the UK. He previously served as the UK’s Technical Delegate for WorldSkills Europe and WorldSkills International and is responsible for driving the WorldSkills UK programme of work both nationally and internationally.

In partnership with representatives from governments, industry, and education, Ben leads the UK-wide initiative to use international benchmarking and competition-based training programmes to help deliver quality improvement across skills systems in the UK.

Commenting on his re-election, Ben Blackledge said: “I look forward to continuing in my role as Chair of the Board of WorldSkills Europe to support the ongoing work of our Members, which empowers young people to thrive in both work and life, and ultimately strengthens Europe’s competitiveness.”

Laurence Gates, CEO of WorldSkills Europe, said: “Ben’s extensive experience and passion for promoting excellence in skills make him a key Board Member and figurehead for WorldSkills Europe. We are delighted to continue working with Ben to further develop the WorldSkills movement and deliver competitions which provide life-changing opportunities for young people across Europe.”

Ben Blackledge will take up the position of Chief Executive, City & Guilds Foundation in October 2026. Ben’s departure from WorldSkills UK does not affect his position as Chair of the Board of WorldSkills Europe.  

WorldSkills Europe and the European Forum of Technical and Vocational Education & Training (EfVET) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), establishing a collaboration to jointly support learners, trainers, and institutions across Europe by bridging skills competitions, policy, and practice to better align TVET with labour market demands and future skills.

The signing of the MoU was celebrated on 11 June 2026 in Helsinki, during the WorldSkills Europe General Assembly 2026.

EfVET is a non-profit EU umbrella association, established in 1991, with the purpose of building a network of TVET stakeholders, to secure a voice across Europe in European policymaking and practice arenas. The organisation represents 500+ TVET stakeholders in 60+ countries, reaching 5,000+ TVET providers, 200,000+ educators, and 2m+ learners.

The MoU agreement will see WorldSkills Europe and EfVET contribute to each other’s marketing and communication activities, increasing the reach and engagement of target audiences at events, in webinars, on podcasts, in newsletters, and other relevant work. EfVET and WorldSkills Europe will also participate at each other’s events, offering opportunities to contribute to event programmes, host booth spaces, and facilitate the participation of Members from both organisations.

Ben Blackledge, Chair of the Board, WorldSkills Europe, explained the significance of the partnership: “WorldSkills Europe and EfVET are united by a shared commitment to strengthen the attractiveness, quality, and excellence of technical and vocational training across Europe. Through our complementary networks and areas of expertise, WorldSkills Europe and EfVET are in a prime position to collaboratively support learners, trainers, and institutions to share and celebrate best practice and ensure that TVET can be better aligned with labour market demands and future skills.

“We look forward to working with EfVET to strengthen the skills and TVET ecosystems across Europe.”

Sylvia Liuti, VP Projects & Partnerships, EfVET, said: “By signing the Memorandum of Understanding with WorldSkills Europe, EfVET is continuing investing in building a strong VET providers’ association in Europe whose main ambition is to offer its members the best opportunities to progress and thrive in the VET ecosystem. Partnering with WorldSkills Europe means looking at EuroSkills Competitions as valuable opportunities to benchmark training provisions and pedagogies and use competitions to make VET more attractive and constantly focused on excellence.

“Since the WorldSkills Europe General Assembly in June 2026, we have committed to mutual exchange participation in our main annual events, also in view of reinforcing our communication and dissemination activities to further reach out to a wider audience in the VET domain.”

Learn more about EfVET at efvet.org.

WorldSkills Europe is delighted to announce that Kemppi, a design leader in the arc welding industry, has become its newest Premium Sponsor.

Kemppi elevates weld quality and productivity through the continuous evolution of the welding arc, with a clear commitment to a greener, more equitable world. It serves welding professionals—from industrial manufacturers to independent contractors—with sustainable products, digital solutions, and services engineered for usability and reliability.

Kemppi operates with a highly skilled partner network covering over 70 countries to make its expertise locally available. Headquartered in Lahti, Finland, Kemppi employs 500+ professionals in 19 countries.

As a Premium Sponsor of WorldSkills Europe, Kemppi will support the organisation of the Welding competition at the 10th edition of the biennial EuroSkills Competition – the biggest vocational education and skills excellence event in Europe – which will take place in Düsseldorf from 22-26 September 2027.

EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027 will welcome around 850 skilled young professionals from 36 countries to compete in 45 different skill competitions for the chance to become the Best in Europe in their chosen skill. 150,000 visitors from across Germany and abroad are expected to attend the event.

“Kemppi is proud to sponsor WorldSkills Europe in welding because the future of our industry depends on skilled young professionals. Welding is a craft that combines precision, knowledge, and pride in workmanship.

“By supporting EuroSkills Competitions, we want to spark curiosity, celebrate hands-on talent, and show young people that welding is more than a trade — it’s a craft where skill, technology, and creativity come together to build the future,” said Kalle Suurpää, CEO, Kemppi.

Ben Blackledge, Chair of the Board, WorldSkills Europe, said: “We are delighted to welcome Kemppi as a Premium Sponsor of WorldSkills Europe. Collaborations with global industry leading companies like Kemppi are invaluable in helping us to prepare young people for their future careers. Kemppi recognises the vital role that skills play in building sustainable industries and supporting creativity and innovation. We look forward to benefiting from Kemppi’s expertise and impressive capabilities in the arc welding industry throughout this partnership.”

The partnership between WorldSkills Europe and Kemppi was announced at the WorldSkills General Assembly 2026 which took place in Helsinki, Finland on Thursday 11 June. The General Assembly brought together representatives from all 36 WorldSkills Europe Member Countries, as well as Sponsor and Partner organisations, for a series of meetings and discussions on the future direction of WorldSkills Europe and key policy-making and organisational strategies.

Kalle Suurpää, CEO, and Tarja Runsten, Head of Global Marketing at Kemppi, attended the General Assembly and met with the WorldSkills Europe Board and EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027 leadership team.

Kemppi is one of 10 WorldSkills Europe Sponsors and Partners and 36 Member Countries that are committed to helping young people change their lives, and the fortunes of their communities and countries through skills.

Learn more about Kemppi at kemppi.com.

WorldSkills Europe is delighted to announce that Georg Fischer AG (GF), a global leader in sustainable water and flow technologies, has become its newest Premium Sponsor.

With a rich history in industrial innovation since 1802, GF is reshaping the future of Flow Solutions by delivering Excellence in Flow through mission-critical products and solutions that enable the safe and sustainable transport of water and other fluids for Buildings, Industry and Infrastructure. Headquartered in Switzerland, GF employs around 13,300 professionals across 46 countries. In 2025, GF’s Flow Solutions business generated sales of CHF 3 billion. GF is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange.

As a Premium Sponsor of WorldSkills Europe, GF will support the organisation of the Plumbing and Heating competition at the 10th edition of the biennial EuroSkills Competition – the biggest vocational education and skills excellence event in Europe – which will take place in Düsseldorf from 22-26 September 2027.

EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027 will welcome around 850 skilled young professionals from 36 countries to compete in 45 different skill competitions for the chance to become the Best in Europe in their chosen skill. 150,000 visitors from across Germany and abroad are expected to attend the event.

Gerrit Schmidt, Head of Commercial, Europe, Georg Fischer, said “We are proud to become a Premium Sponsor of WorldSkills Europe and support the next EuroSkills competitions, including Düsseldorf 2027 and Geneva 2029. As our industry faces a growing need for skilled professionals, investing in education and young talent has never been more important.

“WorldSkills Europe showcases the passion, excellence, and craftsmanship of the next generation. Through this partnership, GF is reinforcing its commitment to vocational education and helping build the skilled workforce that will shape the future of our industry.”

Ben Blackledge, Chair of the Board, WorldSkills Europe, said: “We are excited to welcome GF as a Premium Sponsor of WorldSkills Europe. GF’s support of WorldSkills Europe will be invaluable in helping us prepare young, skilled talent for their future careers in the plumbing and heating industry. Our collaboration with GF will help us raise the profile of skilled professionals and highlight the important role skills play in building a sustainable future for Europe.” 

The partnership between WorldSkills Europe and GF was announced at the WorldSkills General Assembly 2026 which took place in Helsinki, Finland on Thursday 11 June. The General Assembly brought together representatives from all 36 WorldSkills Europe Member Countries, as well as Sponsor and Partner organisations, for a series of meetings and discussions on the future direction of WorldSkills Europe and key policy-making and organisational strategies. 

Ville Ruohio, Managing Director, Uponor Suomi Oy, represented GF at the General Assembly and met with the WorldSkills Europe Board and EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027 leadership team, adding:

“We are pleased to be a Premium Sponsor of WorldSkills Europe for the next four years, supporting EuroSkills in Düsseldorf 2027 and Geneva 2029. This long-term commitment allows us to help prepare the next generation of Plumbing and Heating professionals for working life and to support high-quality training for innovative, energy-efficient installations.”

GF is one of 10 WorldSkills Europe Sponsors and Partners and 36 Member Countries that are committed to helping young people change their lives, and the fortunes of their communities and countries through skills.

Learn more about GF at georgfischer.com.