Dublin welcomes WorldSkills: General Assembly 2023

The WorldSkills General Assembly 2023 in Dublin, Ireland, will bring together the Member countries and regions of WorldSkills, as well as the WorldSkills Global Partners, Champions Trust, and Experts Faculty, for a week-long series of strategic meetings and discussions.

While the WorldSkills Members have met online throughout the pandemic, this is the first gathering for the General Assembly since 2019.

“The General Assembly is an opportunity for innovation. WorldSkills Members have proven their ability to respond to disruption with creative solutions, which was demonstrated perfectly by WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition,” said Chris Humphries, WorldSkills Board Chair. “Now, let us use this week to understand the challenges facing our education systems, connect with each other, and plan to widen our reach and increase our impact.”

This General Assembly is hosted by WorldSkills Ireland and the Irish Ministry of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

“Ireland has been an active Member of the international skills movement since 1956 when the decision was taken by the Department of Education and Skills to join what was then the International Vocational Training Organisation (IVTO),” said Ray English, Technical Delegate, WorldSkills Ireland.

“Since then, Ireland has hosted two international skills competitions, the first in 1963 and again in 1979. This year we continue the proud tradition of hosting international skills events by having you all here at General Assembly 2023. We are confident that this year’s General Assembly will be successful and the discussions and decisions taken will ensure the continued international growth of skills and skill competitions,” noted Mr English.

WorldSkills Ireland are also hosting a conference, held in conjunction with the General Assembly. The theme - Transforming skills systems for Industry 5.0 - recognizes that industrialization is evolving to better integrate important societal needs such as inclusion, digital transformations, and the green transition.

The WorldSkills Ireland Conference 2023 will look at mega-trends, best practices, international recommendations, and youth perspectives with the goal of providing guidance to attending WorldSkills Member countries and regions, policymakers, VET providers, and industry on the future of skill development.

The event will also include the live final pitch of BeChangeMaker 2023, where five teams of young social entrepreneurs will pitch their business ideas in the culmination of this year’s edition of the popular online training programme powered by WorldSkills and the HP Foundation.

“In Ireland, apprenticeships have undergone transformation over the past six years. General expansion of apprenticeships as a route to career development and meeting skills needs is a key priority for Government. Already the expansion of apprenticeships across all sectors in Ireland has widened the impact of apprenticeships in areas of skills shortage such as engineering, ICT, and fin-tech,” said Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

“WorldSkills offers us a chance to work with businesses and our young people to drive forward the importance of apprenticeships. It is about encouraging learners to find their passion and to make their passion their career. Success is liking what you do,” added Minister Harris.

Find more information on the WorldSkills General Assembly 2023 including the updated lists of Conference sessions and speakers on the WorldSkills General Assembly 2023 website.

Register to watch the live stream of the final pitch of BeChangeMaker 2023, taking place in Dublin, Ireland on 26 September 2023, 10:00-11:00 GMT.