Lyon, France, hosted the 47th WorldSkills Competition from September 10th to 15th, 2024. This prestigious event brings together over 1,500 young individuals from 65 countries and regions, showcasing their skills and talents in various vocational disciplines. Since 1950, the WorldSkills Competition, held every two years, has brought together young skilled talents from around the globe. Adhering to rigorous WorldSkills standards, participants showcase their abilities within their respective industry sectors. To qualify for the competition, individuals must first navigate through national selection processes.
The WorldSkills International has announced that the 48th WorldSkills Competition will be held in Shanghai, China, from September 22nd to 27th, 2026. Festo, continuing its role as an official partner, will support relevant competition events, contributing to the cultivation and development of high-end skilled talents in China.
The WorldSkills Competition has chosen Festo as a supplier of technical competition equipment that aligns with the professional standards of the competition. Within the "Manufacturing and Engineering Technology" skill sector, Festo Didactic BU provides official equipment and components for six skills, including Industrial Mechanics, Mechatronics, Industrial Controls, Industry 4.0, Water Technology, and Renewable Energy. This partnership ensures that competitors have access to the latest and most relevant tools and technologies, allowing them to demonstrate their expertise and skills to the highest standards.
Since 1991, Festo has been a pioneering force as the first-ever Global Industry Partner of the WorldSkills Competition. This role underscores the critical function that Global Industry Partners play in fostering collaboration between industry, education, and policymakers. Together, we encourage partnerships across these sectors, working towards a shared vision: enhancing the visibility and recognition of young, skilled professionals worldwide. Through our collective efforts, we strive to elevate the status of vocational skills and contribute to the development of a highly skilled global workforce.
The 2024 WorldSkills Conference will be held concurrently with the WorldSkills Competition. This conference serves as a platform for political and industrial decision-makers, educational institutions, and young people to engage in discussions on various topics, including the excellence of vocational education and training, gender segregation in the skills sector, green skills necessary for the transition to a green economy, skills development in fragile economies, as well as digitization and artificial intelligence.
Dr. Oliver Niese, CEO of Festo Didactic SE, underlines the importance of high-quality vocational training programs for the economy and the preparation for the changes in the labor market, especially regarding the green transformation and the application of artificial intelligence: "WorldSkills plays a crucial role in integrating vocational training into the global agenda for sustainable development and in providing the necessary skills.