Germany celebrates 70 years as part of WorldSkills

Seventy years ago, a German delegation travelled from the industrial city of Wuppertal to Madrid, Spain, to take part in an international vocational skills competition, which would evolve in time into what we now know as WorldSkills. Despite lingering concerns from the past war period, they received a warm and open welcome across Europe. The encounters between young professionals and the experiences they had in the competitions had a lasting effect on everyone involved.

Germany is the only nation to have taken part in WorldSkills without interruption since 1953.

To celebrate this historic landmark, WorldSkills Germany organized a festive evening in Berlin on 9 November 2023. Amongst those present were representatives of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the OECD, UNESCO, and other domestic and foreign organizations working in the field of education. Partners of WorldSkills Germany, and representatives of other WorldSkills Member countries and regions also joined the celebration.

“It’s hard to imagine what would happen if Germany were not a Member of this global community. Thousands of young skilled workers have been inspired and moulded by participating in skill competitions. WorldSkills has an impact.” said Hubert Romer, Official Delegate and CEO of WorldSkills Germany.

Since joining the WorldSkills movement in 1953, Germany has contributed its expertise to further the development of the international skills championship. Mr Romer pointed out Germany, Austria, and Switzerland’s dual vocational education and training systems have influenced the WorldSkills movement, and helped develop WorldSkills beyond its original participation of Spain and Portugal.

Attending the event representing WorldSkills International was Laurence Gates, Board member – Strategic Development, and CEO of WorldSkills Europe.

Congratulating Germany on this significant milestone, Ms Gates noted: “While I‘m a bit too young to speak for all 70 years, I have been lucky enough to work with the WorldSkills Germany team for over a decade, and during that time, I have deeply admired your passion for skills. Landmarks like the 70th anniversary provide an opportunity to reflect and look ahead to how we move forward together as employers, educators, policymakers, and partners.“

International conference: ‘Worldwide Policy Cooperation for Excellence in VET’

Moderated by Hubert Romer and sponsored and co-organized by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the event welcomed 60 guests to discuss common denominators for interregional cooperation in vocational education and training (VET).

Representatives from UNESCO, the OECD, the European Commission, various education ministries, and the WorldSkills network shared the needs and trends of international VET policy as a driver of innovation and competitiveness.

“We know international VET cooperation is not new. We want to build on existing structures. But we think there is much room to manoeuvre, and also the possibility for mainstreaming a lot of activities,” said Mr Thiele, Head of Division Continuing Vocational Training, European Vocational Education and Training Area at BMBF.

WorldSkills Germany brings together the commitment and ideas of 100 members, partners, companies, and associations. As a Member of WorldSkills International, Germany has organized three international skill championships: WorldSkills Duisburg 1961, WorldSkills Munich 1973, WorldSkills Leipzig 2013. Germany also hosted six events for WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition.