Category: news

WorldSkills Europe Members have formally welcomed Moldova as the newest (36^th) Member Country.

Moldova’s membership was ratified on 11 June at the WorldSkills Europe General Assembly 2026 in Helsinki, Finland.

The official membership of Moldova is organised by the Ministry of Education and Research of the Republic of Moldova, establishing WorldSkills Moldova through a consortium of two local non-governmental organisations – the Association Education for Development (AED) and the Centre for Entrepreneurial Education and Business Support (CEDA).

The Ministry of Education and Research of the Republic of Moldova is committed to advancing a modern, responsive, and high-quality vocational education and training system that meets the evolving needs of the labour market and supports Moldova’s European integration agenda. 

“We are delighted to welcome Moldova as the newest WorldSkills Europe Member Country and look forward to working together to advance technical and vocational education and training, promote skills excellence, and increase the attractiveness of vocational career pathways. Together, we can show young people the transformational power of skills, not only at an individual level, but also across our societies.” said Ben Blackledge, Chair of the Board, WorldSkills Europe.

Ms. Liudmila Stihi, State Secretary for Vocational Education, Training and Lifelong Learning, Moldova, said: “We look forward to collaborating with our fellow Members across the WorldSkills movement in Europe. Membership in WorldSkills Europe represents a strategic and forward-looking investment in the modernisation of Moldova’s VET system. As a recognised European platform for promoting high standards in vocational skills, WorldSkills Europe provides a unique framework for benchmarking performance, fostering innovation, and facilitating structured cooperation between education providers and industry.”

The Centre for Entrepreneurial Education and Business Support (CEDA)

CEDA will contribute to the promotion of WorldSkills values and initiatives at national level, working closely with the Ministry of Education and Research, AED, and other partners to strengthen the visibility, attractiveness, and quality of vocational education and training. CEDA has implemented projects including entrepreneurship education, career guidance, and career management, improving the employment and self-employment prospects of VET graduates.

Association Education for Development (AED)

AED is committed to preparing the national team for EuroSkills 2027 through comprehensive support to Competitors and Experts and by establishing and institutionalising a system of annual national and local skills competitions, which will serve as a primary mechanism for talent identification, skills benchmarking, and promoting vocational excellence.

The Official Delegate of Moldova for WorldSkills Europe is Ms. Olga Șuleanschi, Executive Director, Centre for Entrepreneurial Education and Business Support (CEDA). The Technical Delegate for Moldova is Ms. Lilia Stîrcea, Executive Director, Association Education for Development (AED).

As a Member of WorldSkills Europe, WorldSkills Moldova is eligible to participate in EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027, and in future EuroSkills Competitions and related activities.

WorldSkills Europe Members have formally welcomed Malta as a returning Member of WorldSkills Europe.

Malta’s membership was ratified on 11 June at the WorldSkills Europe General Assembly 2026 in Helsinki, Finland.

The official membership of Malta is organised by the National Skills Council (NSC), Malta’s central coordinating body for skills policy, labour market intelligence and strategic dialogue on skills development. Through its work, the NSC seeks to ensure that Malta’s skills ecosystem remains responsive to economic, technological and societal change, while supporting long-term workforce competitiveness and inclusive growth. NSC operates as an autonomous public entity, supported by the Ministry for Education and Sports.

At European and international level, the National Skills Council represents Malta within established skills and policy networks, including Cedefop’s ReferNet, CareersNet, and is part of Cedefop’s Individual Country Experts (ICE) community on skills forecasting. NSC also contributes to EU-level cooperation through initiatives such as the Pact for Skills, and the European Year of Skills.

“We are delighted to welcome Malta back to WorldSkills Europe and look forward to their insights and expertise, which will help us empower even greater numbers of young people to thrive in both work and life, and strengthen Europe’s competitiveness.” said Ben Blackledge, Chair of the Board, WorldSkills Europe.

Dr. Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, Executive Chairman of the National Skills Council said: “Malta is looking forward to participating in WorldSkills Europe again. The National Skills Council aims to enhance Malta’s participation in international skills cooperation and support the continuous improvement of our skills ecosystem. Skills competitions at this level contribute to the promotion of skills excellence, vocational standards and skills-based professions for the benefit of Malta’s economy and workforce.”

The Official Delegate of Malta for WorldSkills Europe is Ms. Ruth DeBrincat, Senior Director, Policy and Technical Affairs, National Skills Council, Malta. The Technical Delegate for Malta is Stephen Sammut, Deputy Principal of the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology.

Malta was previously a Member of WorldSkills Europe from 2008 to 2017 and participated in several EuroSkills Competitions. By re-joining as a Member in 2026, WorldSkills Malta is eligible to participate in EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027, and in future EuroSkills Competitions and related activities.

The WorldSkills Europe General Assembly takes place from 9-12 June, uniting WorldSkills Europe Members, Sponsors and Partners.

The WorldSkills Europe General Assembly 2026 will brings together more than 140 delegates from all Member Countries, and WorldSkills Europe Sponsors and Partners for a series of strategic meetings and workshops.

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

The General Assembly will convene meetings of WorldSkills Europe’s Strategy Working Group, the Competitions Committee, and the main General Assembly meeting, which this year will include 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.

The General Assembly programme also includes a networking space for Sponsors and Partners, and a series of best practice exchange workshops focused on creating opportunities for dialogue and exchange between Members, Sponsors and Partners.

The best practice exchange workshops will be followed by an information session titled What Does it Take to Host a EuroSkills event?, presented by the EuroSkills Herning 2025 Organising Team, which will inform Members about what staging a EuroSkills Competition means in practice.

Skills Finland will use 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.

 

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Simon Bartley, past President of WorldSkills International, and past Treasurer of WorldSkills Europe, whose boundless enthusiasm for skills and young people left a lasting mark on our community.

Simon Bartley served as President of WorldSkills International from 2011 to 2019, first elected at the General Assembly in October 2010 and re-elected for a second term in 2014, bringing to the role a combination of professional rigour, personal warmth, and genuine belief in the transformative power of skills.

Before joining WorldSkills, Simon built a distinguished career in the building services sector, where he served as Chair and Managing Director of his family business, C J Bartley & Co Ltd. Educated at Durham University, where he earned both a BSc in Engineering Science and Management and an MSc in Management Science, he was a Chartered Engineer, a Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and a Fellow of City and Guilds.

Simon served as Chief Executive of WorldSkills UK for many years, where he played a pivotal role in bringing the WorldSkills Competition to the United Kingdom (WorldSkills London 2011). He also served as the UK’s Official Delegate to both WorldSkills International and WorldSkills Europe, and as a Board member of both organisations, before being elected President of WorldSkills.

Throughout his presidency, Simon was a tireless ambassador for the skills movement. He was passionate about young people, and everything he did was guided by his belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to discover and develop their talents. He served on the UK Government’s Skills Commission, on the Council of City & Guilds, and on the Strategy, Policy and Standards Committee of BSI. He was also a past Chair of the CBI’s Small and Medium Sized Enterprise Council.

Beyond his professional commitments, Simon gave generously to charitable causes, serving as Chair of Providence Row, a charity supporting homeless people in London, and as Master of two City of London Livery Companies. He was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in June 2015 for Voluntary and Charitable Services, a fitting recognition of a life lived in service to others.

He is survived by his wife, Christine, and their three sons and partners, James and Julia, Philip and Sarah, and Joe, and their grandson, Oscar. Our thoughts are with them and with all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Simon Bartley will be remembered by the WorldSkills community as a leader who brought professionalism, integrity, and heart to everything he did. WorldSkills is forever grateful for all that was achieved during his presidency and honours his memory by continuing the work he cared so deeply about. WorldSkills will keep building on Simon’s legacy to create a better world by giving young people opportunities and access to skills.

One of Simon’s favourite projects at WorldSkills was the creation and work of the WorldSkills Champions Trust, which is a volunteer group of past Competitors who are the voice of young people in the WorldSkills movement. The WorldSkills Champions Trust have made a video tribute to Simon.

https://youtu.be/NbVJfuj6_So?si=0XG5OX7DZhNs6lh1

 

In 12 months’ time, the city of Helsinki will welcome the world to the Abilympics, a skills competition that recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion in the labour market.

 

Skills Finland has invitated all Members of the WorldSkills movement to join them in Helsinki for the 11th International Abilympics, which is scheduled for 10-13 May 2027. The event will showcase 43 different skills and is open to anyone aged 15 years or over with special needs or disabilities.

International Abilympics Helsinki 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.

Now in its eleventh edition, the Abilympics continues to offer a global platform to those skilled individuals who require special support, raising awareness of their right to access employment and demonstrating the valuable contribution they make to today’s labour market.

Finland was selected to host the competition in October 2023 by the International Abilympic Federation (IAF). The country has been a long-time supporter of the event, having first participated in 2007, and as host of the International Abilympics Conference in 2010.

The first International Abilympics was held in Tokyo, Japan, in 1981, founded on the belief that skills have no boundaries and that every person deserves the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities. Since then, the competition has grown into a truly international event, with the IAF now representing more than 40 member countries.

With exactly one year to go until International Abilympics Helsinki 2027, Skills Finland sent out a call for WorldSkills and WorldSkills Europe Members to take part.

Registration for the competition opens from 1 September to 31 October 2026. For countries not yet affiliated with the IAF, applying for membership is free and can be arranged through national IAF member organisations.

Learn more about International Abilympics Helsinki 2027, including how to register.

Two competitions under one roof

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.

Organised by Skills Finland and Omnia, the Joint Authority of Education in the Espoo region, together with 20 vocational institutes in Finland, Skills Games will be open to the public and free of charge.

WorldSkills Croatia 2026 brought together 370 of Croatia’s top vocational school students to compete in 44 skill competitions.

From 5-7 May, Zagreb became the focus of skills, innovation, and vocational excellence, with three days of intense competition at the 7^th National Competition of Vocational School Students – WorldSkills Croatia 2026, concluding with a spectacular Closing Ceremony and medal presentation. 

More than 12,000 people visited the Zagreb Fair to experience firsthand the largest education event in Croatia. The Competition brought together education, industry, and young talent through skills competitions, interactive workshops, career presentations, and demonstrations of modern technologies.

At the heart of the event were 370 of Croatia’s most highly skilled vocational school students competing in 44 skills. Competitors demonstrated precision, creativity, technical expertise, and professionalism across a wide range of skills, from Mechatronics, CNC Technology, and Web Development to Hospitality, Floristry, Healthcare, and Design.

This year’s Competition welcomed more than 1,400 participants, including more than 29 host schools that acted as workshop managers with over 250 teachers and student volunteers supporting the event, alongside over 170 assessment committee members and more than 350 mentors who prepared Competitors for the Competition.

WorldSkills Croatia 2026 covered more than 16,000 square metres of exhibition space and was supported by more than 40 Sponsors and Partners. Visitors had the opportunity to explore Try-a-Skill zones, seven student exhibitions, and numerous interactive presentations that showcased the future of vocational education and careers.

A special focus was placed on primary school students who are currently choosing their future education pathways. The Agency for Vocational Education Training and Adult Education organised free transportation which enabled more than 7,000 students from across Croatia to attend the event. Many of them had the opportunity to try vocational skills for the first time and discover modern professions through hands on experiences.

WorldSkills Croatia 2026 also highlighted its growing international dimension. Participants and representatives from seven countries from three continents took part in the competition, while international visitors arrived from five additional countries. The event once again positioned Zagreb and Croatia as an important European meeting point for skills, innovation, and vocational education.

The Closing Ceremony concluded with the awarding of medals to the Competition’s top performers. The medals recognised not only excellence and dedication among Competitors, but also the commitment of mentors, schools, and partners who continuously contribute to the development of high-quality vocational education in Croatia.

“WorldSkills Croatia represents far more than a competition. It is a platform where young people discover their talents, schools present modern learning opportunities and industry connects with future professionals. Through this event, WorldSkills Croatia continues to promote skills as a key driver of innovation, employability, and economic development,” said Nino Buić of the Agency for Vocational Education and Training, which runs WorldSkills Croatia. 

WorldSkills Croatia 2026 medallists

WorldSkills Croatia 2026 was organised by the Agency for Vocational Education and Training and Adult Education. 

 

Ben Blackledge, Chief Executive of WorldSkills UK, and Chair of the Board of WorldSkills Europe, has been announced as the next Chief Executive of the City & Guilds Foundation.

The City & Guilds Foundation is a London-based charity that works to remove barriers to employment, celebrate skills development, and advocate for future job skills.

Ben has spent the past 12 years at WorldSkills UK, most recently as CEO, championing skills excellence and helping to create world-class opportunities for young people across the UK.

Commenting on his appointment, Ben said: “I am delighted to be joining the City & Guilds Foundation at such an important and exciting moment. The Foundation’s role has never been more vital, and I look forward to working with its outstanding team, partners and members to turn ambition into action.

The past 12 years at WorldSkills UK have given me the privilege of working with exceptional colleagues across the sector, creating life-changing opportunities for learners. I’m excited to bring that experience to help build clearer pathways that unlock productivity, tackle inequality and support a more inclusive economy.”

Ben will remain in post at WorldSkills UK until October, where he will continue to lead the organisation through its participation in WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, before formally joining the City & Guilds Foundation in mid-October.

Ben’s departure from WorldSkills UK does not affect his position as Chair of the Board of WorldSkills Europe, a role he has held since 2021. Ben completes his first mandate as Chair of the Board at the WSE General Assembly in Helsinki on 11 June. He is standing for re-election to serve a second term, subject to approval by Members in the Board election vote, which will take place at the General Assembly.

Ben added: “I am incredibly passionate about promoting excellence in TVET, developing world-class skills, and facilitating cross-border collaboration for a stronger skills ecosystem. I remain deeply committed to my role as Chair of the Board of WorldSkills Europe to support the continued work of our Members to empower young people to thrive in both work and life, and to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness.”

A long-standing mentoring partnership between WorldSkills Germany and WorldSkills Ghana is deepening Expert capacity, strengthening national training systems, and helping Ghana step confidently onto the global stage for skills.

When Ghana became the 81st Member of WorldSkills in 2019, it marked the beginning of a new chapter of skills development for the country. It was also the beginning of a mentoring relationship with WorldSkills Germany that continues to shape how both countries train young people for excellence.

A longstanding WorldSkills and WorldSkills Europe Member, WorldSkills Germany has decades of experience in skills competitions, professional training, and international cooperation. By combining this experience with strategic support from the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), WorldSkills Germany has been able to collaborate with WorldSkills Ghana to strengthen the foundations of its Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

From the start, the partnership focused on long-term systems change. With more than half of its population under the age of 30, Ghana identified an urgent need to train its young professionals and developed a national strategy that prioritised skills quality, relevance, industry alignment, and international competitiveness.

As anticipation builds towards the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, the partnership is a clear example of how Member-to-Member cooperation can strengthen skills systems and help countries step onto the global stage for skills. It also shows the wider WorldSkills community how mentoring is not a one-sided transfer of knowledge, but a shared investment in skills excellence.

Zakaria Sulemana, Official Delegate for WorldSkills Ghana, reflects, “This collaboration with WorldSkills Germany has gone beyond competition preparation. It has helped us strengthen governance structures, deepen Expert professionalism, and embed international best practices within our national TVET. It is a partnership that is leaving behind better systems, not just individual successes.”

Hubert Romer, Official Delegate for WorldSkills Germany, agrees and calls for continued support. He says, “The time together was inspiring for all of us and gave us so much in return. That is why it is so important for the relevant political bodies to actively support projects like this and provide sufficient resources for their future development.”

Educators were a fundamental part of this transformation. A series of Expert training programmes, in alignment with WorldSkills Occupational Standards and drawing on WorldSkills Competition Test Projects, structured assessments, and peer reviews, helped build confidence and competence.

“By strengthening Expert capacity, Ghana has been able to build a sustainable pipeline of trainers, assessors, and mentors who can raise standards across institutions, support Competency-Based Training, and inspire young people to pursue technical careers,” explains Albert Opare, Communications Manager at WorldSkills Ghana.

While some mentoring happened virtually, the real impact came when WorldSkills Germany Experts travelled to Ghana to deliver hands-on training at the TVET colleges, which contributed to success at WorldSkills Africa Swakopmund 2022. But as the partnership progressed, the Members prioritised seven skills that were fundamental to the development of Ghana’s workforce and economic growth: Automobile Technology, Bricklaying, Carpentry, Cooking, Electrical Installations, IT Network Systems Administration, and Welding.

Last November, WorldSkills Ghana Experts and Competitors took part in intensive training weeks in Germany in preparation for their nationals, as well as WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.

George Sevor, Chief Expert in Bricklaying for WorldSkills Ghana reflects, “The programme deepened my technical knowledge, particularly in workpiece design, drawing interpretation, and evaluation. This exposure has strengthened my capacity to assess both national and international competitions and to mentor young students more effectively. I am confident this experience will have a lasting impact on skills transfer in Ghana.”

Richard Okoampa-Larbi, Technical Delegate for WorldSkills Ghana goes further, saying, “The training collaboration with WorldSkills Germany has been a vital step toward strengthening Ghana’s skills excellence and global competitiveness. It enhances technical competence, exposes Competitors and Experts to international standards and advanced technologies, and significantly improves readiness for WorldSkills competitions.”

For many involved, the value of the programme has also been in the two-way learning process. Thorben Grübnau, the Expert in Cooking for WorldSkills Germany, says, “For me personally, the experience offered deep insights into a different vocational education and training system and a new cultural context.”

Stefan Mißbach, Expert in Automobile Technology for WorldSkills Germany, agrees, saying, “As a coach, I gained important experience and learned approaches to train my students even better in the future.”

As well as the training programmes, this partnership has created space for dialogue around competition planning, funding models, strengthening infrastructure, strategic communications, and the role of skills in national development.

While the funding agreement with GIZ, on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the European Union, ended in February, both Members are keen to continue the partnership and see its legacy extending far beyond the project period.

Albert describes it as “one of the most powerful tools within the WorldSkills community,” saying, “Our experience shows that mentoring, when grounded in mutual respect and shared purpose, delivers lasting value far beyond Competitions. We strongly encourage other Members to invest in knowledge-sharing partnerships as a pathway to sustainable skills development.”

 

The 2026 edition of Spain’s biennial national Vocational Training competition, SpainSkills, brought together more than 550 Competitors for 31 skill competitions and three demonstration skill events.

Organised by Spain’s Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sport, SpainSkills 2026 welcomed students and recent graduates from all of Spain’s autonomous communities and the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla to the IFEMA Fair in Madrid from 24-28 February to showcase technical and practical skills and expertise on the national stage.

In addition to the three-day Competition, SpainSkills 2026 featured presentations on various topics related to Vocational Training, such as Centres of Excellence, Innovation Projects, FP Connect, National Reference Centres, and emerging skills in different professional fields.

SpainSkills 2026 concluded with a Closing Ceremony on 28 February, where Spain’s Secretary General for Vocational Training, Esther Monterrubio, presented medals to the highest scoring Competitors.

The gold medallists at SpainSkills 2026 will now have the opportunity to represent Spain on the international stage at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 and EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027.

Discover the SpainSkills 2026 medallists.

SpainSkills is organised by Spain’s Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports (General Secretariat of Vocational Training), with the collaboration of various public and private entities. SpainSkills 2026 had the collaboration of more than 130 sponsor companies.

 

More than 120 delegates from 24 countries gathered in Luxembourg from 16-20 March to begin shaping the technical and operational foundations of the 10^th EuroSkills Competition.

Skills Development Workshop (SDW) is one of the most important milestones in the preparations for a EuroSkills Competition. The event marks the first time that the Host Organisation, WorldSkills Europe, Skill Management Teams (Chief- and Deputy Chief Experts for each skill and the Jury President Team Leaders), Skill Advisors, and Workshop Managers come together in person to refine standards, share expertise, and set the course for the upcoming Competition.

Key achievements during SDW 2026 in Luxembourg included a detailed review of the EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027 Infrastructure List, defining what equipment, tools, and materials are required for each of the 45 skill competitions. First drafts of the workshop layouts for all skill competitions were also created, incorporating specific technical and safety requirements, material work-flow, visitor experience, and the integration of Try-a-Skill activities and skill information points.

Skill Management Teams worked together to finalise the Technical Descriptions to ensure that they accurately reflect the scope of each skill, latest industry standards, assessment criteria, and the overall expectations for EuroSkills Competitors. Early development work on the Standards and Assessment Guide (SAG) for each skill was also undertaken.

Beyond technical preparations, SDW included a Skills Meet Education event at the European Parliament building in Kirchberg, which facilitated discussion between international experts and Luxembourg’s national education community.

Laurence Gates, CEO of WorldSkills Europe, said: “Significant progress was made at Skills Development Workshop in Luxembourg this week thanks to the invaluable contributions of our dedicated team of Experts from across the continent.”

Skills Development Workshop is the first of many events that Luxembourg has planned in their role as co-host of EuroSkills 2027.

Ms. Gates continued: “We extend our sincere thanks to Luxembourg’s Ministry of Education, Children and Youth, and its partners for hosting WorldSkills Europe this week, and we look forward to supporting both Luxembourg and Germany in the months ahead on the road to EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027.”

EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027 is scheduled for 22-26 September 2027 at Messe Düsseldorf. The event will welcome around 850 skilled young professionals from 34 countries to participate in 45 different skill competitions and five presentation skills. 150,000 visitors from across Germany and abroad are expected to attend.

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.

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.

For more information, visit euroskills2027.com.