Competitors receive a warm welcome to Lyon on Excursion day

WorldSkills Competitors have arrived in Lyon. For many, it marks their first time in France and, for some, their first experience of overseas travel. They eased into the experience by taking in the local sights of Lyon while getting to know each other on skills-based excursions and at the official Welcome Reception.

Excursions are a much-anticipated part of the WorldSkills Competition experience, giving delegates and Competitors the chance to discover the host country, city, and local expertise. Earlier this week, Experts, Technical Delegates, and Skill Competition Managers enjoyed the local hospitality in Lyon. Yesterday, it was the turn of Competitors and supporting members from their delegation.

In previous years, Competitors have toured cities in their country or region teams. This year it was different. Inspired by WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition, the excursions at WorldSkills Lyon 2024 have been organized by sector area, giving young people the chance to see Lyon through the lens of their skill area, while bonding with fellow Competitors from around the world over a shared passion.

The action-packed day started at 13:00 CET at the WorldSkills Lyon 2024 venue, Eurexpo Lyon. From there, they travelled to memorable locations across Lyon with some going further afield into the region of Auvergne Rhône-Alpes. Each delegation was invited to experience examples of local industry closely connected to their skill. It also gave local businesses a platform to showcase their expertise and engage with the WorldSkills community.

Competitors in Landscape Gardening and Floristry explored the biodiversity of Parc de la Tête d’Or, while the Painting and Decorating group went on a tour of local street art. For Rodrigo Haziel Campos Valdes, a Competitor in Autonomous Mobile Robotics from Mexico, a particular highlight was meeting fellow Competitors at the Musée des Confluences, a natural history museum in the heart of Lyon.

He shared, “It is beautiful to be here experiencing France and the Musée des Confluences, and to be building relationships with other Competitors. I feel so proud of what I am doing. WorldSkills has changed my mind and my life. This experience is already something I could never have imagined.”

At the end of the Excursion day, Competitors returned to Hippodrome Parilly for a vibrant Welcome Reception. The garden party atmosphere came alive with a diverse showcase of local and international culture. Young people and their teams were treated to live music, the artistry of caricaturists, an interactive digital mural, and the energetic spectacle of a traditional “French can-can” dance performance.

As the Competitors headed back to their hotels, the day’s experiences fuelled their enthusiasm for the start of the 47th WorldSkills Competition. Next stop: Familiarization Day, which takes place today.

Find out what to expect from WorldSkills Lyon 2024 on the official website, and subscribe to the newsletter to stay updated.

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.