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EuroSkills Herning 2025 will take place between 9–13 September 2025 and will be held at MCH Messecenter Herning in Denmark.

An Organisational Agreement has been signed between WorldSkills Europe and WorldSkills Denmark for the hosting of the ninth EuroSkills Competition in 2025.

The signing ceremony, which took place at the Danish Ministry of Children and Education in Copenhagen on 25 November 2021, was attended by the newly appointed Chairman of EuroSkills Herning 2025, Mr Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, WorldSkills Europe Chair of the Board, Ms.Teija Ripattila, and by the Danish Minister of Children and Education, Ms. Pernille Rosenkrantz-Theil. The CEO of WorldSkills Europe, Ms. Laurence Gates, and the Chairman of WorldSkills Denmark, Mr. Søren Heisel, were also present.

The Danish city of Herning was confirmed as host of the ninth EuroSkills Competition following a unanimous vote by WorldSkills Europe Member Countries at an extraordinary General Assembly virtual meeting which took place on 16 September 2020. 

Teija Ripattila, Chair of the Board of Directors, WorldSkills Europe, (pictured below) said: “We are incredibly thankful to WorldSkills Denmark for having agreed to organise a EuroSkills event on behalf of all 31 WorldSkills Europe Member Countries that participate in our biennial Championships of Young Professionals.”

“Strong trust and confidence in WorldSkills Denmark”

WorldSkills Denmark worked closely with the Danish Government, the Trade Union Movement’s Main Organisation, the Danish Employers’ Association, Herning Municipality, the Central Jutland Region on the bid to bring EuroSkills to Denmark as part of an ambitious overall strategy to get more young people to choose vocational education.

Ripattila continued: “We are equally thankful to the Danish government and all the sector and partner organisations in Denmark that are supporting WorldSkills Denmark on this project. We know that an international event of this scale would not be possible without such high-level national commitment and support,

“We place strong trust and confidence in WorldSkills Denmark, who we know will deliver, with the support of the Danish government and all partners and stakeholders, an exceptional EuroSkills event for our Members.”

Chairman of EuroSkills Herning 2025, Mr Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, (pictured below) said: “Denmark and EuroSkills Herning 2025 are excited to welcome all WorldSkills Europe Member Countries to Herning to provide hundreds of Europe’s most talented young skilled professionals an opportunity to compete against the best of the best.”

“Ambition to provide inspiration for developing trades and skills across Europe”

“Our ambition with this championship is not only to create increased focus on VET in Denmark, but also to raise the standards of excellence in technical and vocational education and training and provide inspiration for developing trades and skills across Europe – and lasting relations between countries on all levels,” added Rasmussen.

“WorldSkills Europe has given us so much, and now it is time for us to give back”

In her speech at the official signing ceremony, Danish Minister of Children and Education, Ms. Pernille Rosenkrantz-Theil, (pictured below) said: “We are very enthusiastic about hosting EuroSkills in 2025 – a gathering of the best European VET students and a platform for exchanging experiences across borders and across cultures, a hub for inspiration for developing the VET system in Europe. WorldSkills Europe has given us so much, and now it is time for us to give back by hosting the EuroSkills Competition in 2025. We are committed to making EuroSkills Herning 2025 a success, both for the young Competitors and for the perception of VET in general.”

New dates confirmed for EuroSkills Herning 2025

Originally scheduled for 2024, WorldSkills Europe and WorldSkills Denmark announced in December 2020 that EuroSkills Herning would be moved by one year to 2025 due to the postponement of EuroSkills Graz to 2021, and all subsequent Competitions.

EuroSkills Herning 2025 will take place between 9-13 September 2025 and will be held at MCH Messecenter Herning, the largest exhibition centre in Scandinavia.

The city of Herning is home to a thriving industrial sector, with a large international workforce focusing on a shift towards Industry 4.0. This is a result of a long-standing tradition of close cooperation between local industry and businesses, educational institutions, elementary schools and the municipality.

Initial planning meetings for EuroSkills Herning 2025 will now be scheduled between the WorldSkills Europe management team and representatives of WorldSkills Denmark.

 

 

WorldSkills Europe is proud to welcome Autodesk as a Premium Sponsor

Autodesk is changing how the world is designed and made. Its technology spans architecture, engineering, construction, product design, manufacturing, media and entertainment, empowering innovators everywhere to solve challenges big and small.

EuroSkills participants will receive free access to Autodesk’s professional-level advanced manufacturing, digital construction, and media and entertainment software, as well as a suite of learning resources.

Participants in Mechanical Engineering, for example, can leverage Autodesk Fusion 360 – a powerful design-and-make tool that combines CAD, CAM, CAE, and PCB design on one platform. With Fusion 360, Skills Experts and Competitors can take a big step towards digitizing their skillsets and furthering their careers.

Philipp Mueller, Education Experiences Program Manager, Autodesk, said: “Autodesk is committed to helping students, educators, and lifelong learners to develop the skills necessary today to help solve tomorrow’s most pressing design and engineering challenges. We’re proud to team up with WorldSkills Europe in preparing the next generation of innovators for the Future of Work.”

Teija Ripattila, Chair of the Board, WorldSkills Europe, said: “We are very pleased to welcome such a world-class company to WorldSkills Europe. Autodesk’s support will ensure we continue to drive up standards of excellence in Mechanical Engineering and keep the skill at the cutting edge of technology.”

Find out more about Autodesk.

 

WorldSkills Europe is proud to welcome Lincoln Electric, the global leader in the manufacturing of welding machines and welding consumables, as a Premium Sponsor

For over 125 years, Lincoln Electric has been the world leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc welding products, automated joining, assembly and cutting systems, plasma and oxy-fuel cutting and has a leading global position in brazing and soldering alloys.

As a global leader in Welding Education, Lincoln Electric is committed to providing each and every member of the welding community with the most well-rounded and comprehensive welding training programs in the industry. From products to training, all the way up to complete education solutions, Lincoln Electric provides equipment, curriculum, customized training, certifications, apprenticeship training and consulting to help companies set up the right infrastructure.

Dorothee Schmid, Business Development Manager, Global Education, Lincoln Electric, said: “Lincoln Electric believes in supporting education at many levels including youth organisations that teach welding and the skilled trades. Through our existing educational programs and our new partnership with WorldSkills Europe we aim to inspire young people while educating industry on the latest technologies involving safety, quality, and productivity.”

Teija Ripattila, Chair of the Board, WorldSkills Europe, said: “We are delighted to welcome Lincoln Electric to WorldSkills Europe as a Premium Sponsor. Like WorldSkills Europe, Lincoln Electric values excellence in skills development and is committed to supporting the next generation of skilled professionals through its world-class training programs.”

Find out more about Lincoln Electric.

 

WorldSkills UK and WorldSkills France will exchange knowledge, ideas and best practice through a three-year partnership that aims to drive innovation and boost excellence in technical and vocational education and training in both countries.

The agreement will see the countries work closer together to raise the prestige of skills and highlight their economic and social significance. As well as setting out plans to cooperate on events, conferences and research, the partnership encourages both organisations to act as a critical friend with a view to raising the quality of learning, teaching and assessment.

“We are delighted to be working with WorldSkills France on this exciting new partnership so that both we and France are learning from each other to develop the high-quality skills needed for the future of our economies,” said Dr Neil Bentley-Gockmann OBE, CEO WorldSkills UK.

“Crucially, through this partnership, we look forward to working closely together to help France deliver a truly outstanding WorldSkills Lyon 2024 that can act as a catalyst for inspiring the next generation in France, Europe, and across the world to choose apprenticeships and technical education as the routes to success in work and life,” Bentley-Gockmann added.

Monsieur Armel Le Compagnon, President of WorldSkills France, said: “WorldSkills France is particularly proud to collaborate with WorldSkills UK on this joint commitment framework. Economic recovery is crucial and requires skills development for the youth,”

“This memorandum of understanding is an opportunity to work together, and to exchange our insights and good practices in a constructive manner. This will enable us to advance our visions on VET and the evolution of skills through the competition, and to build together the basis of a tangible legacy for future generations which is exactly what we are initiating around the WorldSkills Lyon 2024 project.”

The agreement with WorldSkills France is the fifth international partnership WorldSkills UK has entered into with its international partners from the WorldSkills networks. Previous agreements have been with Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Japan and Russia.

In celebration of the one-year countdown to the 46th WorldSkills Competition, the event’s mascots, Nengneng and Qiaoqiao, hitched a ride into space on their own custom Long March-2D rocket.

Launched at Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China’s Shanxi Province, the rocket sent 11 satellites, including China’s first solar observation satellite, into preset orbits, marking the start of a solar exploration mission.

The rockets are on a mission to help researchers observe changes in the sun during solar flares, such as atmospheric temperature and velocity.

The other key event celebrating the one-year countdown brought together consular representatives representing 30 countries and regions.  

Forty consular officers based in Shanghai were briefed on preparations for the 46th WorldSkills Competition by Zhao Yongfeng, director of Shanghai Human Resources and Social Security Bureau and secretary-general of WorldSkills Shanghai 2022 Organizing Committee.

The Consulate Engagement Event detailed the upcoming Competition and development of the WorldSkills Museum, a joint initiative of WorldSkills International, China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, and the Shanghai government.

As the world’s first museum to show vocational skills, it will become a global center for the exhibition of skills

Benoit Guidee, consul general of France in Shanghai, said he was confident that WorldSkills Shanghai 2022 would be a success. Lyon, a historic industrial city in France, will host the WorldSkills Competition in 2024.

“I’m delighted that the two cities are willing to work hand in hand as a team to turn the two events into successes and promote vocational education and training around the world. I am confident that WorldSkills Shanghai 2022 will set the bar very high and give us a rich legacy to build upon for WorldSkills Lyon 2024,” he said.

After the briefing, consular officers visited three skilled talent cultivation bases – Shanghai South Lake Vocational School, Shanghai Environmental School, and Shanghai Technician School – to experience skills in Restaurant Service, Industrial Control, Addictive Manufacturing, Mechatronics, and Water Technology, all of which are included in the 46th WorldSkills Competition.

Visit https://worldskills2022.com/en for more details on the 46th WorldSkills Competition.

WorldSkills France officially announced the inception of the WorldSkills Lyon 2024 Organising Committee on 8 October 2021 at L’Elysée Palace in Paris.

To mark the occasion, WorldSkills France launched an awareness-raising campaign on social media, which saw WorldSkills Members publish the same social media post at exactly the same time, with the same GIF image. The campaign generated hundreds of social media posts and a total of three million views.

WorldSkills Lyon 2024 is scheduled for 10-15 September 2024. The event will welcome 1,600 talented young professionals from 85 countries and regions, who will participate in 60+ different skill competitions – all for a chance to be recognised as the best in the world in their individual skills.

For more information, please visit: worldskills-france.org/wsc-lyon-2024.

Teija Ripattila, Chief Training Manager and Official Delegate at Skills Finland, has been appointed as Chair of the Board of Directors at WorldSkills Europe.

Currently Finland’s Chief Training Manager and Official Delegate for EuroSkills, and Team Leader for WorldSkills, Teija is responsible for excellence in skills training for competitors, skills managers and experts. She works very closely with every skill and develops the national team for EuroSkills and WorldSkills Competitions.

Teija has been a Member of the WorldSkills Europe Board of Directors since 2014, serving most recently as Vice Chair of the Strategy Committee since 2018.

Prior to joining Skills Finland in 2011, Teija worked for many years as a teacher in vocational education and training in printing technology and graphic design. In addition to teaching, Teija also worked as a team leader for teachers. Teija trained students for many years for the Finnish National Skills Competition, Taitaja, before joining Skills Finland. She has always been curious to find the object of interest of each student and then helping them to achieve their potential.

Commenting on her appointment, Teija Ripattila said: “I am looking forward to working with my fellow Board Members and all Member Countries in my new role as Chair of the WorldSkills Europe Board. Having worked for many years as a vocational education teacher, TVET and skills competitions are very close to my heart,”

“WorldSkills Europe and EuroSkills Competitions are a magnificent way to improve European standards of excellence in vocational education and training and skills. We need young people with skills, and with excellent skills, especially right now, to help European industries and economies recover and continue to tackle the ongoing challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Laurence Gates, CEO, WorldSkills Europe, said: “Teija Ripattila has already contributed so much to the strategic direction of the WorldSkills movement on both a national level in Finland, and on a European level as a Board Member of WorldSkills Europe.

“I congratulate Teija on her appointment and I very much look forward to continuing to work with her in her new role as Chair of the Board.”

For details about all Members of the WorldSkills Europe Board of Directors, please visit: /index.php/about/organisation.

Over 400 Competitors from 19 countries were celebrated at the EuroSkills Graz 2021 Closing Ceremony on Sunday, 26 September for their commitment to skills excellence and determination.

EuroSkills Competitions are challenging events to host during normal circumstances, due to the logistical complexities and extensive equipment needed. However, the postponement of EuroSkills Graz from 2020 to 2021, and ongoing challenges of COVID-19 related travel restrictions and other measures, made planning and preparing for the event all the more difficult.

All the hard work was finally celebrated this weekend, however, as Member Countries, Competitors, Experts, trainers, dignitaries, and supporters, gathered at the Closing Ceremony where the EuroSkills Graz 2021 Official Results were revealed.

Jos de Goey Best in Europe Award

The most coveted award – Best in Europe – is always the final award presented at the Closing Ceremony, when emotions are at the highest point. The presentation of this year’s Award was more emotive than ever due to the challenging past 18 months that the WorldSkills movement has faced.

In recognition of the longstanding commitment to skills development by the founder and first President of WorldSkills Europe, Jos de Goey, who passed away suddenly in 2020, WorldSkills Europe Members made the unanimous decision to rename the Best in Europe Award in his honour.

The inaugural Jos de Goey Best in Europe Award 2021 was presented to Eldar Seidametov and Vladislav Diubanov of Russia by Jos’ wife, Anouschka de Goey-Seur (pictured, below right), together with Josef Herk, President of the Styrian Economic Chamber.

EuroSkills Graz 2021 took place over five days, beginning with an Opening Ceremony on 22 September 2021, followed by three days of skill competitions, and concluding with a Closing Ceremony on Sunday 26 September 2021, where awards including gold, silver, and bronze medals were presented to the highest scoring Competitors.

Among the audience of almost 3,000 people watching the Closing Ceremony to cheer on the national and international competitors were President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, Harald Mahrer, President of WorldSkills Europe, Dita Traidas, and Chairman of EuroSkills Graz 2021, Josef Herk.

The future belongs to young professionals

Addressing Competitors in her opening speech, WorldSkills Europe President, Dita Traidas, said: “You had a tough, demanding, and very emotional three days of competition. You are great. We are proud of you. Be sure you will never forget these feelings and emotions you have experienced here. The lessons you learned and invaluable investment in your professional confidence and future careers through competing at EuroSkills Graz 2021 – these days will be ones you will treasure forever.”

Josef Herk, President of the Styrian Economic Chamber and Chairman of EuroSkills Graz 2021, said: “There is nothing more powerful than young people who are deeply invested in their skills, trades, professions, and their futures. Today I feel honoured. I feel proud to say thank you to all of you. You have rocked EuroSkills. You are the stars and every one of you stands for the spirit of EuroSkills. This spirit says ‘Don’t give up. Be strong and be a part of it.’ This is the message we wanted to send to young people all over Europe.”

WorldSkills Europe Flag Relay

The EuroSkills Graz 2021 Closing Ceremony concluded with the passing of the flag to the next host nation, Russia, presenting EuroSkills St Petersburg 2023, which is scheduled for 16-20 August 2023.

EuroSkills Graz 2021 was the 7th EuroSkills event and the first to take place in Austria. Hosting the event is not only proof of Austria’s sustained commitment to keep TVET and skills at the top of national and European agendas, but also a matter truly dear to the heart to honour and shine a spotlight on the outstanding achievements of the most talented young professionals in Europe.

Official Results

All Official Results from EuroSkills Graz 2021 and previous EuroSkills Competitions, are available at: https://bit.ly/WSEresults.

All official photography from EuroSkills Graz 2021 are available on SmugMug, at:  https://worldskillseurope.smugmug.com/EuroSkills-Graz-2021.

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Notes for editors

• EuroSkills – the biggest vocational education and skills excellence event in Europe – was hosted by Austria for the very first time in 2021.

• EuroSkills Graz 2021 saw around 400 young skilled professionals from 19 countries across Europe (as well as three guest nations: Albania, Thailand, United Arab Emirates) take part in 38 skill competitions between 23–25 September at The Schwarzl Freizeit Zentrum (SFZ) Centre in Graz, Austria.

• Competitors showcased their talents on an international stage as they competed to become the best of the best in their chosen skill.

• EuroSkills Graz 2021 welcomed more than 10,000 students, who took part in the popular Try-a-Skill activities on offer at the event. A total of 25,000 visitors registered to attend EuroSkills Graz 2021.

• All official photography from EuroSkills Graz 2021 is available at: https://worldskillseurope.smugmug.com/EuroSkills-Graz-2021.

• Official Results from EuroSkills Graz 2021, as welll as previous EuroSkills Competitions, are available at: /index.php/what-we-do/skills-competitions-euroskills-event/euroskills-results.

A COVID-19 secure event

• The Organising Committee of EuroSkills Graz 2021, together with WorldSkills Europe, devised a catalogue of comprehensive COVID-19 preventative measures, in accordance with regulations set by the Federal Government of Austria, for the protection of everyone who attended the event.

• Ninety per cent of all Member Country participants at EuroSkills Graz 2021 were either vaccinated against or recovered from COVID-19. In addition, compulsory testing was carried out for the duration of the event, which saw all 1,200 officials – including Competitors, Delegates, Experts, coaches and organisation teams – tested every 24 hours.

• The thousands of COVID-19 tests conducted during the event did not result in a single positive case.

​For more information, please contact:

Tom York at tom.york[at]worldskillseurope.org.

With a dazzling explosion of colour, music, and youthful energy, the 7th EuroSkills Competition was officially declared open with great fanfare in Austria yesterday evening (22 September 2021).

The highlight, as always at EuroSkills Opening Ceremonies, was the Parade of Nations, which this year included around 400 young professionals from 19 European countries who will compete for a chance to win medals and become recognised as the best of the best in Europe in 38 different skills and trades. Competitions cover a vast array of skills, ranging from web development to bakery; from joinery to floristry; and from automobile technology to mobile robotics.

Among the audience of almost 3,000 people watching the spectacular Opening Ceremony to cheer on the national and international competitors were President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, Harald Mahrer, President of WorldSkills Europe, Dita Traidas, and Chairman of EuroSkills Graz 2021, Josef Herk.

The Minister of Education of the Russian Federation, Sergei Kravtsov, also attended as a member of the supervisory board of the autonomous non-profit organization, Agency for the Development of Professional Skills (WorldSkills Russia). Russia is the host nation of the next EuroSkills Competition, which will be hosted by the city of St Petersburg in 2023.

President of WorldSkills Europe, Dita Traidas, said: “Highly trained, skilled workers are the backbone of society and of our economy. The future belongs to young professionals all over Europe.”

“To all the young professionals who are competing at EuroSkills Graz 2021 this week, I wish you the very best of luck. Regardless of whether or not you win a medal at the Competition, each and every one of you is a champion. You have been on an incredible professional and personal development journey and have accomplished a tremendous amount already in the lead up to this moment.”

“You are following in the footsteps of thousands of skills champions who have competed before you, who have achieved and continue to achieve incredible success in their careers across a vast and continually evolving range of trades and industries,” Ms Traidas added.

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen also addressed the crowd by video message. The stream of welcoming messages then switched to EU Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmitt.

Chairman of EuroSkills Graz 2021 Josef Herk, said: “The staging of this skills contest in Graz is the fulfilment of a long-held dream. The prevailing mood here is like that of a football stadium. It’s a spirit that will also make itself felt during the competitions over the next few days. It will be a truly unique atmosphere.”

EuroSkills is the biggest vocational education and skills excellence event in Europe. Founded by WorldSkills Europe in 2006, the biennial event brings together educators, young people, governments, and industries to help prepare the workforce and talent of today for the jobs of the future.

EuroSkills is even more significant in 2021 as the world now looks to skills, and highly skilled young workers to help lead the way forward in the global economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. EuroSkills Graz 2021 plays a key role in helping to address the current challenge of the European shortage of skilled workers.

Spectacular acts

The Opening Ceremony was presented by Karoline Rath-Zobernig, wearing an outfit from top designer Eva Poleschinski, and Lukas Schweighofer, host of TV show “Guten Morgen Österreich”. Some spectacular acts and a dance performance created and electric atmosphere.

The first of a total of three days of skill competitions start today (23 September 2021).

Any members of the public wishing to visit EuroSkills Graz 2021 must pre-register at: tickets.euroskills2021.com. Admission is free of charge.

 

-Ends-

 

Notes for editors:

• EuroSkills – the biggest vocational education and skills excellence event in Europe – is being held in Austria for the very first time in 2021.
• EuroSkills Graz 2021 will see around 400 young skilled professionals from 19 countries across Europe (plus three guest nations) take part in 38 skill competitions between 23–25 September at The SFZ (Schwarzl Freizeit Zentrum) Centre in Graz, Austria.
• Competitors will showcase their talents on an international stage as they compete to become the best of the best in their chosen skill.
• Photos from the Opening Ceremony are available at: https://worldskillseurope.smugmug.com/EuroSkills-Graz-2021/Ceremonies-and-Side-Events/EuroSkills-Graz-2021-Opening-Ceremony/.
• The livestream footage of the Opening Ceremony is available at: https://fb.watch/8c1IUb2E9W/.
• Official Results from previous EuroSkills Competitions, from EuroSkills Gothenburg 2016 onwards are available at: /index.php/what-we-do/skills-competitions-euroskills-event/euroskills-results.
• EuroSkills St Petersburg 2023 is scheduled to take place from 16 – 20 August 2023.

 

COVID-19 regulations and measures at EuroSkills Graz 2021

The health and safety of everyone is the highest priority for EuroSkills Graz 2021.

The Organising Committee of EuroSkills Graz 2021 together with WorldSkills Europe has devised a catalogue of comprehensive COVID-19 preventative measures, in accordance with regulations set by the Federal Government of Austria, for the protection of everyone who attends the event.

Ninety per cent of all Member Country participants at EuroSkills Graz 2021 are vaccinated against or recovered from COVID-19.

Any members of the public wishing to visit EuroSkills Graz 2021 to cheer on the national and international competitors participating must comply with the COVID-19 regulations in place, by providing documented evidence of either: an approved COVID-19 vaccination; recent recovery from COVID-19 (180 days from the date the infection was first detected), or a negative COVID-19 test result. (Antigen test [taken within 48h] or PCR test [taken within 72h).

All visitors to EuroSkills Graz 2021 must pre-register, at tickets.euroskills2021.com. Tickets are free of charge.

In order to ensure all COVID-19 regulations are respected, visitor access is divided into three timeslots. The timeslots are: (1) 08:30 –11:30 CEST; (2) 11:30 – 14:30 pm; (3) 14:30 – 17:30, from 23 – 25 September 2021.

It is possible to register to attend for any or all of the timeslots available. For each timeslot, a maximum of 3,500 visitors will be permitted access to the 70,000 square metre venue, SFZ (Schwarzl Freizeit Zentrum). This equates to 20 square metres per visitor at all times.

For the latest information about the COVID-19 measures in place at EuroSkills Graz 2021, visit https://euroskills2021.com/en/covid-19-guide-en/.

 

For more information, please contact:

Tom York

Marketing and Communications Manager

WorldSkills Europe

tom.york[at]worldskillseurope.org

In just 12 days from today, the starting signal will be sounded for EuroSkills Graz 2021 – the first European Championship of Young Professionals to be hosted in Austria.

EuroSkills is the biggest vocational education and skills excellence event in Europe. Founded by WorldSkills Europe in 2006, the biennial event brings together educators, young people, governments, and industries to help prepare the workforce and talent of today for the jobs of the future.

Around 400 young skilled professionals from across Europe will gather at EuroSkills Graz 2021, from 22-26 September, to showcase their talents on an international stage as they compete to become the best of the best in their chosen skill. There will be competitions in 38 official skills and 10 Host Presentation Skills. Competitions cover a vast array of skills, ranging from web development to bakery; from joinery to floristry; and from automobile technology to mobile robotics.

“There’s a unique enthusiasm and excitement about this event that is hard to resist,” said Josef Herk, Supervisory Chairman of EuroSkills Graz 2021. “The fabulous achievements of the young professionals leave us with an indescribable joy and sense of drama, like a combination of the spectacular Hahnenkamm downhill ski race and an ACDC rock concert.”

EuroSkills is even more significant in 2021 as the world now looks to skills, and highly skilled young workers to help lead the way forward in the global economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. And EuroSkills Graz 2021 plays a key role in helping to address the current challenges, including the European shortage of skilled workers.

“At EuroSkills, we prepare an international stage for young professionals and turn skilled workers into heroes. The event supports our companies through targeted measures to make skills and trades more attractive, thereby ensuring that highly trained, skilled workers will still be available in the future,” added Herk.

“Skilled workers are coveted as never before”

The shortage of skilled workers is indeed not only an Austrian phenomenon, but has become a challenge that affects the whole of Europe. From France to Germany and Belgium, from Italy and Liechtenstein to Portugal, “skilled workers are coveted as never before,” said Dita Traidas, President of WorldSkills Europe. “This is also a result of the demographic change, which is set to pose major challenges for the whole of Europe in the years to come as the ‘baby boomer’ generation reaches retirement age. And, with the birth rate having fallen significantly, the number of skilled workers is also dropping just as fast. The result is a gap that can only be closed by highly qualified, skilled workers,” added Traidas.

“The future belongs to young professionals”

According to UN figures, even as soon as 2030, the working population in the European Union is expected to have decreased by up to seven percent, i.e. approx. 13.5 million people. This is equivalent to a city the size of Munich – each and every year. “This is one of the reasons why the future belongs to young professionals all over Europe,” said Stefan Praschl, Board Member of WorldSkills Europe. “Highly trained, skilled workers are the backbone of society and the economy. At EuroSkills, we can now offer them the stage they deserve for their achievements. We are greatly looking forward to hosting the European Skills Championships, at long last,” added Praschl.

Preparations almost complete

The preparations at the event venue, SFZ (Schwarzl Freizeit Zentrum), are in the final stages. The construction of the “Skills Village” continues, with eleven out of the twelve super-size, temporary structures already complete. Plumbing systems and power units have already been installed and the internet is up and running. In the tented halls, special floors are being laid and the lighting is being installed. The first machines and products needed for the competitions will be arriving next week. These include the machines for the carpenters and joiners, as well as wheel loaders, excavators and trucks to be used for the Heavy Vehicle Technology and Heavy Truck Maintenance skill categories. The CNC systems, which have been specially produced for EuroSkills Graz 2021 and weigh several tonnes, will follow in a few days. The heavyweight equipment, vehicles and components will be accommodated in the venue’s Davis Cup Hall, where the foundations have a greater load capacity.

Smaller components and tools, such as wall plugs and screws, spoons, whisks, and gardening shears will be taken from the three well stocked logistics warehouses in Graz to SFZ next week. Everything needs to be ready by 20 September, when the final acceptance checks of Competition areas will be carried out by the WorldSkills Europe Competition Committee.

Guillaume Suteau, Chair of the Competition Committee, who arrives in Graz on 17 September, said: “We need to settle in and familiarise ourselves quickly with the premises, which we have only seen on videos so far. We will need to inspect everything that has been prepared. But above all, we will need to find out what still needs to be done and might cause a headache later, when the competitions start.” The other Committee members – one from each participating country – are responsible for ensuring compliance with the rules and will chair the judging panels during the competitions.

Member countries are fully prepared

The organisation is highly professional – not just at EuroSkills level, but also in the 19 participating member countries (plus the three guest nations: Albania, Thailand, and the UAE): “All WorldSkills Europe Member Countries are doing a great job of supporting the development of the young competitors,” said WorldSkills Europe Board Member Francis Hourant. “Countries such as France, Germany, and Switzerland as well as many other nations are holding team-building camps and other events, so that competitors from all areas can meet and take part in activities that help them to share experiences, build new contacts and develop skills. The level of organisation in all the member countries is superb, and no country is leaving anything to chance. EuroSkills is a showdown of the very best – and that includes organisation.”

Support from sponsors

This professionalism of all involved in EuroSkills Graz 2021 is appreciated by the great many sponsors, such as ‘Diamond Sponsor’ Energie Steiermark (Austrian Energy provider). “As a Styrian flagship company, we regard it as our duty, rather than simply a voluntary undertaking, to invest in young, talented people. That’s why we are delighted to be partnering EuroSkills Graz 2021 and thereby preparing a stage for our future skilled workers. We are convinced that EuroSkills 2021 in Graz will help show vocational skills and qualifications in the best possible light, as a key factor for business success,” emphasised Urs Harnik-Lauris, spokesman for Energie Steiermark.

COVID-19 precautions

Anyone wishing to visit EuroSkills Graz 2021 to cheer on the national and international competitors must pre-register at tickets.euroskills2021.com. There are three time slots available for registration on each competition day. This means that visitors can access the site from 8:30am to 11:30am, 11:30am to 2:30 pm, and/or 2:30pm to 5:30pm on 23, 24, and 25 September.

Anyone accessing the site must comply with the COVID-19 regulations currently in place, with evidence of vaccination or recovery, or a negative COVID-19 test result. It is possible to register for any or all of the time slots available. For each time slot, a maximum of 3,500 visitors will be allowed access to the 70,000 square metre premises at the SFZ. This allows more than 20 square metres per visitor at all times.

These measures are in addition to the guidelines and legal provisions set out by the Austrian Federal Government. For the latest information, visit: https://euroskills2021.com/en/covid-19-guide-en/.

Photo (Left to right): Urs Harnik-Lauris (Energie Steiermark), EuroSkills Graz 2021 Managing Director Angelika Ledineg, EuroSkills Graz 2021 Chairman Josef Herk, EuroSkills Graz 2021 Managing Director Harald del Negro. Photo courtesy of geopho.