Superlative
There are so many superlatives that I can use to sum up my first ever experience of a WorldSkills Competition, having spent four days attending the 47th landmark event in Lyon, witnessing firsthand the talent and determination of 1,400 Competitors and 1,300 Experts in 59 Official Skills and three Exhibition Skills from across 70 countries, regions and principalities… but here are some. I was privileged to see the biggest showcase of WorldSkills values, of integrity, fairness and transparency by competitors, experts, organisers and sponsors and the most inspiring display of young people pursuing excellence in their chosen technical, vocational or professional field. It was, quite simply, the best.
“Where there’s a skill – there’s a way”
I heard many brilliant affirmations throughout my time in Lyon; during the Parade of Nations at the opening ceremony at the LDLC Arena to the final words of encouragement between WorldSkills UK team competitors as the countdown clock called official time on the culmination of years of dedication and hard work. As a vibrant showcase of skilled talent – with the competition spanning seven sector villages covering a square meterage equivalent to 26 football pitches – the competition provided a truly global stage both literally and metaphorically on which every young skilled person was to move from ‘competitor’ to ‘champion’ status over four days (regardless of a medal win, or not).
The phrase ‘turning skills into art’ took on significant meaning as the halls of Eurexpo Lyon buzzed with inspirational competitors and inspired visitors, intent on becoming the next generation of outstanding talent in competition fields ranging from traditional crafts and trades in bakery, butchery and tiling, to higher level skills in chemical laboratory technology and water technology. How compelling too that competitions have developed in areas of new demand such as Industry 4.0 and industrial robotics signalling that skills aren’t just for bricklaying, catering and hairdressing.
Changing perceptions
It was abundantly clear that WorldSkills’ golden thread and focus is on excellence not only amongst young skilled talent but also in bringing together industry, education and government leadership in partnership to move technical and professional skills to the top of the global agenda. WorldSkills Lyon 2024 was a celebratory reminder of the critical role skills play in addressing international challenges of economic sustainability, boosting business and promoting their contribution to raising productivity and the delivery of high-quality public-sector services. Indeed, skills training gives opportunities for social mobility for individuals throughout their working lives.
In the vast halls of Eurexpo, over four fairly intense days, the distinct narrative around excellence materialised and allowed me to connect the dots to the successfully influenced design and development of the WorldSkills UK Centre of Excellence programme. A programme which combines learnings from UK participation in international benchmarking activity, a focus on the value world-class skills development has for the economy nationally and regionally, and the conviction that excellence can be an inclusive endeavour.
UVAC’s invitation to join WorldSkills UK in Lyon, as the first higher education partner, consolidated our ambition to develop a strong network for peer-to-peer innovation and allowed us to join a global community of thought leadership, interested in how to embed international best practice to advance technical and professional education. Together, UVAC (through its university membership and published research) and WorldSkills UK (though its connectivity across colleges, training providers, awarding organisations and industry) can ensure that educators, curriculum leads, ‘pracademics’, managers and senior leaders have insights from global skills systems and world-class practices to equip them with new knowledge and skills.
As I watched many WorldSkills UK Competitors finalise their test projects on the last day of competition, it was highly emotional because I felt incredibly privileged to be able to share this pivotal and personal moment in their skills journey. How incredible to observe such high standards of achievement which allowed Team UK to compete internationally and achieve silver, bronze, best in nation and so many medals of excellence.
WorldSkills UK Announces Higher Education Partnership with UVAC
