Exclusive tour for global media ahead of WorldSkills Lyon 2024

In a strategic move to amplify the voice of skills excellence, WorldSkills and WorldSkills Lyon 2024 will be opening the doors of Eurexpo Lyon to the global press ahead of the start of the 47th WorldSkills Competition. This exclusive tour is designed to familiarize media with the Competition layout and programme as Lyon gets ready to stage the world’s largest celebration of skills.

The day will begin at 11:00 CEST in the Media Centre, where Shawna Bourke, Director of Marketing and Communications for WorldSkills International, will welcome the accredited media. She will provide media guests with a detailed overview of the upcoming week, highlighting key events such as the Press Conference, the Opening Ceremony, the two-day WorldSkills Conference 2024, and briefings for each day of the Competition.

Shawna says of the tour, “We want the media experience to be about more than simply showcasing our venue. From the moment they arrive in Lyon, we want our media community to appreciate why skills excellence is so crucial for the prosperity and sustainability of our world. That is why our media tour will highlight the transformative power of skills and explain the importance of investing in the next generation of skilled talent. Young people taking to the global stage to showcase their commitment to their craft is worthy of great celebration.”

After an introduction, journalists will be divided into groups, each led by a Tour Guide from the WorldSkills community with headsets available to translate into multiple languages. The tour will include “Skill Pit Stops,” where members of the WorldSkills Champions Trust will share stories of their own skill journeys, the significance of the Competition, and its global impact.

The Skill Pit Stops will focus on seven thematic pillars that underpin the whole Competition:

1. Skilled people solve the most pressing challenges of our time, led by Dan McCabe, WorldSkills Champions Trust representative for Europe.
2. Youth as changemakers, led by Mihle Mvelakubi, WorldSkills Champions Trust representative for Africa.
3. Benefits of Skill Competitions, led by Rachel Crawford, WorldSkills Champions Trust representative for Australia.
4. Journey of skills excellence, led by João Teixeira, WorldSkills Champions Trust representative for Europe.
5. Breaking bias in skills, led by Yousra Assali, WorldSkills Champions Trust representative for Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
6. Moving TVET to the top of the global agenda, led by Shweta Ratanpura, WorldSkills Champions Trust representative for Asia.
7. Behind-the-scenes of making the world’s largest Skills Competition, led by Melkon Hovhannisyan, WorldSkills Champions Trust representative for Asia.

Yousra Assali, WorldSkills Champion’s Trust representative for MENA and Skill Pit Stop host, is looking forward to meeting members of the media and bringing them into the WorldSkills experience. She says, “WorldSkills Competitions have been transformative in breaking down gender barriers in various industries. As a Champion, I have seen firsthand how these events inspire pride and encourage more women to pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated fields. Journalists play a crucial role in amplifying these success stories, and I cannot wait to meet them at the media tour and discuss how we can spread these messages far and wide, together.”

The tour will also show how extensive the preparations have been for WorldSkills Lyon 2024 and highlight the huge number of people who are working in front of, and behind, the scenes within the 140,000-metre squared venue, including the mobilization of over 2,500 volunteers. It will allow media representatives to explore the venue further, capture images, and request interviews with Champions and industry experts, leaving them familiarized and ready to maximize their time at the Competition.

WorldSkills Lyon 2024, 10 to 15 September, is the world’s biggest international skills competition, featuring 1,400 Competitors from 69 countries and regions. The 47th WorldSkills Competition highlights 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 shaping the future of work. Learn more about WorldSkills Lyon 2024 and follow @WorldSkills and @worldskills2024 for live updates throughout the Competition.