Break the bias: How WorldSkills is removing barriers and championing gender equity in skills

Recent UNESCO data, shared on World Youth Skills Day 2024, revealed a stark truth: women are projected to hold just 25% of green jobs by 2030. This statistic serves as a sobering reminder of persistent gender inequities in education and employment. As businesses transform, these disparities risk deepening unless addressed head-on.

Raising awareness of these stereotypes and the inequities they produce is the first step in addressing them. To this end, WorldSkills is taking a seat around the table with international organizations, governments, and policy makers to discuss how they can reset TVET strategies, making them more inclusive.

WorldSkills is actively involved in global discussions to ensure equitable access to skills. At the UN Transforming Education Summit in September 2023, WorldSkills served as a Stakeholder Co-lead for one of the thematic tracks. The organization contributed to a new set of global measures aimed at “rebooting” education systems, including designing gender-sensitive education policies.

Building on these efforts, WorldSkills Conference 2024 hosted two critical sessions on gender inequities in TVET. Breaking stereotypes: Building gender equity in skills explored ways to rethink policies to break entrenched gender gaps in the world of work, while Reimagining workplaces, cultivating inclusion: Attracting more women into STEM showcased projects creating pathways for women in STEM careers.

Featuring experts from organizations such as the European Commission, L’Oréal, OECD, and UNESCO-UNEVOC, the sessions underscored the global commitment to promoting gender equity in skills. El Iza Mohamedou, Head of Centre for Skills at the OECD, said, “Building gender equity in skills goes far beyond attracting more women into the workplace. It is also about inclusion. People from underrepresented genders need to have a voice, take part in decision-making, and have career development.”

Beyond policy discussions, WorldSkills recognizes the power of role models in breaking the bias in skills. WorldSkills Champions Trust representatives play a significant role in this, using their platforms to show young people around the world that if they can see it, they can be it.

On International Women’s Day 2024, Champions Trust representatives Shweta Ratanpura, Yousra Assali, and Justina Ashiyana led a discussion about inclusion in skills. They explored how the WorldSkills community can collectively challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, draw attention to bias, and build equitable spaces.

During that discussion, Justina shared her own experiences and recognized the support she had to break the bias. She shared how her father was her inspiration and gave her the confidence and support to become a joiner. She said, "I wish all spaces were equally inclusive for all. Support is very important.”

As day three of the Competition unfolds, the atmosphere at Eurexpo Lyon is set to reflect this shared understanding: gender equity in skills is both a social imperative and an economic necessity. An inclusive workforce is more productive, innovative, and capable of meeting the challenges of a global economy.

For more information about the Competition go to WorldSkills Lyon 2024.

WorldSkills Lyon 2024

WorldSkills Lyon 2024, 10 to 15 September, is the world’s largest international skills competition, featuring 1,400 Competitors from almost 70 countries and regions. The 47th WorldSkills Competition showcases excellence in young skilled talent, while also bringing industry, education, and government leaders together to move skills to the top of the global agenda. WorldSkills is highlighting the critical role skills play in addressing global challenges, boosting economies and industries, and promoting excellence.