All WorldSkills topics at a glance
The concept
The talented young people taking part in WorldSkills professional championships are already winners. The first milestone on the way to becoming the world’s most skilled professional is taking part in a national competition in their own country. As proud representatives of their countries, they then compete in regional competitions such as EuroSkills, WorldSkills Africa, WorldSkills ASEAN or the WorldSkills World Championships. These international competitions take place once every two years. They are an unforgettable and inspiring experience for the young participants and an important starting point for their careers.
The WorldSkills Competitions draw on technology trends such as digitalisation and green skills, reflecting current developments in job profiles on the labour market. Before new job profiles are accepted as official competition disciplines, they are first presented as demonstration professions. That is how the topics of water management, Industry 4.0 and renewable energies made their way into the World Championships in 2019 and 2022.
More than 1,500 highly motivated young professionals battle it out for a medal in around 60 different disciplines.
Festo is a Global Industry Partner (GIP)
Festo was the first "Global Industry Partner" of the WorldSkills Organisation in 1991 and has played an active role in joint events and the forward-thinking design of the disciplines of the competition ever since.
As a Global Industry Partner, we are a central link for co-operation between industry, education, politics and NGOs.
Our common aims are as follows:
- Improving the training and recognition of skilled professionals worldwide
- Getting young people excited about technology through specific qualifications and training
- Addressing shortages of skilled professionals
- Boosting the economy and prosperity in society
Festo Didactic, official equipment supplier
All young participants in the championship work with high-quality equipment that has been officially approved by WorldSkills.
For the four skills areas of
- Mechatronics
- Water Technology
- Industry 4.0 and
- Renewable Energy
Festo is the main sponsor. WorldSkills has relied on state-of-the-art training systems and components from Festo Didactic fore more than 30 years.
Our learning systems foster comprehensive training by combining theoretical knowledge with practical application. The "Festo Learning Experience (LX)" learning portal and the exercises on the physical training systems optimally prepare young participants for all the six disciplines of the professional competitions.
Promoting young talent in these skill areas
Skill #04 Mechatronics
Modular Production System (MPS)
Since 1991, the MPS has demonstrated in national and international competitions that its concept, the stations and controllers and the corresponding functions provide exactly those features that characterise automated production throughout the world: the integration of mechanics, electronics and information technology for mechatronics.
Discover our training solutions for mechatronics and factory automation
Skill #48 Industry 4.0
CP Lab Industry 4.0
The new skill #48 Industry 4.0 celebrated its debut in 2022. As a Global Industry Partner (GIP), Festo actively supported its introduction. This individual and system workstation enables Festo Didactic to offer a comprehensive learning system that you can use to prepare participants for the competitive discipline of Industry 4.0.
Skill #55 Water Technology
Learning system Environmental Discovery System EDS
In 2022, Water Technology was included as an official skill for the second time. The learning system EDS is a modular training solution that represents the core processes of a water and wastewater treatment plant, visualising the water cycle from its source to the wastewater treatment plant and back.
Discover the Environmental Discovery System EDS
Find out more about skill #55 Water Technology
Brochure on the importance of skill #55 Environment and Industry (PDF)
Skill #62 Renewable Energy
The learning system Wind Turbine
Renewable Energy was introduced as a new skill at the WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition. Festo Didactic supplied the wind turbine nacelle training system as official equipment for the competition. This is a true-to-scale, complete model of the nacelle of a commercial wind turbine. While it represents a real and cost-intensive system, it does not require a lot of space or large investments. The training includes real-life troubleshooting as well as operating and maintenance situations.
Discover the nacelle learning system for wind power generation
Skill #01 Industrial Mechanics
Learning system Mechanical Drives
Industrial mechanics install, maintain and repair a wide range of mechanical equipment. The learning system Mechanical Drives familiarises students with the devices, tools and processes used by mechanical technicians in industry to keep production plants running. The learning system Electric Drives and Pneumatic Drives teach the skills required for installing and maintaining systems. Pneumatic and hydraulic components from Festo such as cylinders and valves are also used. The simulation software FluidSIM from Festo Didactic is an important digital component of the competition.
Skill #19 System Electrics
Simulation software FluidSIM
Industrial electricians plan, mount, install, program as well as maintain and repair electrical and electronic parts, components and systems used in industrial systems and technology. These may include alarm systems, electric doors, gates and lifts, and industrial machinery and systems. The leading simulation software FluidSIM supports the creation and simulation of circuit diagrams in pneumatics, hydraulics and electrical engineering not only during the vocational competition, but also during and after training.
Learn like the world champions at Festo LX
Festo LX is our online portal for teachers and students to get started and create an individual learning experience. It has a choice of numerous online courses, assignments, e-books and other learning materials for various technical topics, providing participants and trainers with everything they need to optimally prepare for the competitions.
With the real competition assignments on mechatronics or Industry 4.0 in Festo LX, you too can train like the medallists.
The assignments from these competitions are waiting for you:
- WorldSkills Kazan 2019
- EuroSkills Graz 2021
- WorldSkills Germany 2021
- WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition
- EuroSkills Gdansk 2023
- WorldSkills Germany 2023