Portugal - from a founding Member to forward-looking advocate

“Competing in skills is a stimulus for growth, not only professionally, but also personally. It is this purpose that drives our work.” These are the words of Ana Elisa Santos, Board Member at Portugal’s Public Employment and Vocational Training Service (IEFP, I.P.) and Official Delegate for WorldSkills Portugal.

It has been three-quarters of a century since the first international skills competition between Spain and Portugal in 1950. Since that historic event, Portugal has continued to place skills development at the heart of its national strategy for growth.

The part Portugal played in founding WorldSkills 75 years ago is not just a point of historical pride, Ana Elisa believes it is an enduring responsibility and a cornerstone of the country’s approach to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

She says, “It was true 75 years ago at the first WorldSkills Competition, and it still holds true today. Skills are the foundation of development. WorldSkills Portugal embraces its pioneering role within the WorldSkills community and aligns closely to the mission, vision, and values that drive the skills movement.”

The country’s early commitment to WorldSkills has also shaped how it engages with the international community, allowing Portugal to contribute to global conversations around skills development.

Ana Elisa believes it has opened doors to new partnerships and helped them implement innovative teaching methodologies, because they are grounded in decades of experience.

She says, “The insights we gain as a result of our role in WorldSkills are so important to us. When we are called upon to make contributions that will have an impact on national education and training policies, we are able to do so with certainty and conviction because of how we have seen skills evolve throughout the years.”

She continues, “Belonging to the WorldSkills movement broadens our horizons every day. It makes us more attentive to innovation. It gives us the opportunity to draw inspiration from the best practices of other countries. All of this has an impact on the way we relate to each other internationally. It is, without a doubt, a win-win relationship.”

For Portugal, being a WorldSkills Member means promoting lifelong learning and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Indeed, its national skills competitions exemplify how the country advances this vital legacy.

Held every two years in rotation across different regions, these events are more than just selection processes for EuroSkills and WorldSkills, they are celebrations of vocational excellence and powerful tools for aligning training with industry needs.

Ana Elisa says, “We leverage our founding role to inspire the next generation through a mix of tradition and passion. Our long experience brings wisdom, merit, competence and know-how.”

But she concludes, “the best inspiration we can give to young people who are currently deciding what to do with their future is the fact that we truly value technical professions, and that we will help them shine and succeed in their skills.”

David Hoey, CEO of WorldSkills International, reflects, “Portugal has a longstanding role in the WorldSkills movement. What began in 1950 as an ambitious effort to engage young people in vocational careers has grown into a global stage of skills excellence, innovation, and opportunity.”

As WorldSkills marks 75 years, Portugal’s voice remains clear: the vision that started the movement is as vital today as it was back then. Through thoughtful investment, national pride, and an unwavering belief in the power of skills, Portugal continues to champion the values that drive the skills movement forward.

Find out more about WorldSkills Portugal, and join WorldSkills 75th anniversary celebrations.