Competition Preparation Week: Industry partners and sponsors meet in Lyon

During the second day of Competition Preparation Week, taking place from 29 January to 2 February in Lyon, France, the focus was on the industry collaborations that make the event possible.

Bringing together WorldSkills Global Partners and Event Sponsors for WorldSkills Lyon 2024, the Sponsors Forum was an opportunity to brief industry partners on different aspects of the Competition. This was the second Sponsors Forum held ahead of WorldSkills Lyon 2024. The first one took place during Competition Infrastructure Workshop in March 2023.

The Competition venue was high on the agenda, with a detailed explanation of the facilities in seven halls of the 140,000m2 Eurexpo Lyon, as well as the workshop layouts for each of the skill competitions.

The Marketing and Communications team shared the communications strategy and outlined the range of marketing assets available to all Members, Global Partners, and Event Sponsors to help build awareness about the impact of the WorldSkills Competition.

A key component of WorldSkills Lyon 2024 is helping visitors, especially students, be inspired to find out more about skilled careers. Each of the 62 skill competitions will include a Try-a-Skill hosted by local, national, or international partners.

Participants were briefed on WorldSkills Lyon 2024 sustainability goals. These include:

• supporting the circular economy,
• efficient waste management,
• carbon footprint,
• water and energy consumption,
• inclusion and diversity,
• security and well-being,
• ethical and transparent governance.

A networking lunch for partners included a keynote address from Taïg Khris, an entrepreneur, TV host, and former world record holder in vert skating, who spoke about his life story and the learnings and values that drive excellence.

“It was an inspiring keynote to the sponsors, on how future entrepreneurs need to think big to make their dreams come true, which is very much aligned with how WorldSkills sponsors support youth to go after their dream jobs and never stop dreaming big!” said Alexander Amiri, Director of Sponsorship and Partnership WorldSkills International.

The day ended with a trip to Groupama Stadium, where the WorldSkills Lyon 2024 Closing Ceremony will take place. Home of the Olympique Lyonnais football club, this versatile venue frequently hosts major music concerts.

“The Sponsorship Forum is a significant milestone on our journey towards September 2024. This event enables our Global Partners and Event Sponsors to continue their discussions with our Skills Competition Team and to elevate our ambitions.” said Loïc Chevalier, Director of Sponsorship and Partnership, WorldSkills Lyon 2024.

WorldSkills Lyon 2024 will show the world that _Where there is a skill,_ there is a way. A major industrial centre and a global reference for gastronomy and cuisine, the city of Lyon will host the 47th WorldSkills Competition from 10 to 15 September 2024. Over 1,500 Competitors from over 65 countries and regions will compete in 62 skill competitions. Organizing the Competition in France aligns with the country’s strategy to promote vocational education and training and transform it to adapt to current and future employment needs.