13 October 2025
WorldSkills General Assembly 2025 sets the stage for the future of skills
WorldSkills General Assembly 2025 is officially underway, with WorldSkills Members and Global Partners celebrating 75 years of progress, setting the stage for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, and looking to the future and its Vision 2035.
The first day of WorldSkills General Assembly 2025 signalled a strong start to a week of collaboration and progress. Over 350 delegates gathered in the ancient city of Dubrovnik in Croatia to celebrate successes and make critical strategic decisions about its strategy for the next ten years.
Hosts, WorldSkills Croatia, started the day with their heartfelt thanks to Members, Partners, and supporters for joining this important event at this pivotal moment in Croatia’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) reform. Nino Buić, Official Delegate, said, “We are proud to welcome the world’s TVET leaders to Dubrovnik and contribute to shaping the future of skills development. We look forward to the meetings this week and having a chance to share our progress in skills development as well as our wonderful city.”
Drawing on the WorldSkills movement’s 75th anniversary milestone, Francis Hourant, WorldSkills President and Chair, welcomed delegates with a message of optimism, unity, and urgency. He said, “We, the WorldSkills movement, are a collective force working for the prosperity of countries. But, above all, we want to offer opportunities to people, especially young people, by providing them with a path to achievement and excellence. In this way, we contribute to their dignity, which is essential for building peace. It is our responsibility to do our part.”
In his report, David Hoey, CEO of WorldSkills International, celebrated the highlights of the last 12 months and launched the WorldSkills Annual Report 2024. He encouraged assembled Members and Partners to be proud of their achievements as they prepare for the future. He reflected, “WorldSkills builds resilience in young people. Our partnerships with governments and industry have never been stronger. I think we can proudly say that we are shaping a world where every young person has the opportunity to live, work and thrive through skills.”
During day one, the WorldSkills community welcomed four new Global Partners. Global software company Neusoft and digital learning provider Pearson join Samsung, Stanley Black & Decker, and Festo as Global Premium Partners. Automotive training manufacturer, FXB joins as a Global Industry Partner and Zhonghui was congratulated for joining as a Global Industry Partner earlier this year. On signing the agreement, Dr Jiren Liu, Founder, CEO, and Chairman of Neusoft expressed what the partnership meant to him. He said, “Being WorldSkills Global Premium Partner is not only a title to Neusoft. It is a profound responsibility for us.”
Members and Partners recognized the progress made this year crafting Vision 2035 after six months of collaborative Strategic Development Committee Opt-in meetings, including two in-person events in Vienna and Hong Kong. They also heard news of WorldSkills Museum, the BeChangeMaker 2025 programme, and developments in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
A key moment from day one was the election of two new WorldSkills Board members and one returning Board member. Alexander Erdmann of Germany was re-elected as Treasurer, Patrik Svensson of Sweden was elected as Board member – Competitions, and Donald Tong of Hong Kong was elected as Board member – Strategic Development.
WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 Competition Organizers impressed the delegates with an update on plans for the 48th WorldSkills Competition, which is less than a year away. Members and Partners heard about the establishment of the WorldSkills Champions Trust as Global Dream Ambassadors, joining high-profile celebrities and accomplished Chinese skilled professionals supporting the event.
Looking beyond 2026, WorldSkills Members selected Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia as the location for WorldSkills General Assembly 2027. WorldSkills Mongolia shared their ambitions to bring the WorldSkills community together to learn about Mongolia’s transformation of its TVET sector making skills development a national priority.
The day closed with thanks from the Chair and highlights of the WorldSkills Croatia Conference 2025 coming up on day two.
