WorldSkills Kyrgyzstan heads to France for its first, historic WorldSkills Competition

Three young people from Kyrgyzstan are about to make history as they become the country’s first Competitors to participate in a WorldSkills Competition! Eldar Bakirov will compete in Welding, Aiana Abditalipova will compete in Cooking, and Nargiza Zholdoshbai Kyzy will compete Fashion Technology.

WorldSkills Kyrgyzstan was ratified as a Member during WorldSkills General Assembly 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. Since then, the team has been focused on WorldSkills Lyon 2024, and has put all its energies over the last 12 months into preparing for this significant moment. First stop – selecting Competitors!

In February 2024, WorldSkills Kyrgyzstan held its first ever national competition to identify the best in the country. Nineteen young people, supported by 13 Experts, went head-to-head in three skills: Cooking, Fashion Technology, and Welding. Not only did the three winners get to celebrate national success, but they now have the added honour of representing their country at the 47th WorldSkills Competition.

To help them prepare, they have been undergoing intensive training under the guidance of the KASEF Public Foundation and the Ministry of Education and Science. Training has included going back over previous Competition Test Projects for practice and getting advice from other WorldSkills Members.

One of the three Competitors, Eldar Bakirov, also took part in a “Skills Friendly” in Abu Dhabi in April, an international experience that runs alongside EmiratesSkills National Competition. WorldSkills Kyrgyzstan was one of 17 countries using the event to get some all-important practice before travelling to Lyon in September 2024.

This combination of training, guidance and practice has been positive for the team. Nargiza feels ready to go. She says, “The preparations are going well. I have no fear now, and I think everything will be fine.” Her fellow teammate, Aiana says, “I am practicing my Cooking skills, and I feel good. I won first place at the nationals, and I am now aiming to win at WorldSkills Lyon 2024.”

The team’s participation in WorldSkills Lyon 2024 is an important step for the government of Kyrgyzstan, which has a goal to increase enrolment in TVET and nurture skilled professionals for its three main industries – machinery production, electronic components, and the food industry.

Maksat Mamytov, CEO of KASEF Public Foundation, Technical Delegate for WorldSkills Kyrgyzstan, says, “This is the first time in the country’s history that Kyrgyzstan is sending its official team to a WorldSkills Competition. We believe that WorldSkills is a great platform for our skilled young people to unleash their potential and bring new knowledge and experience to their motherland.”

You can find out more about WorldSkills Kyrgyzstan and keep up to date with all the news from WorldSkills Lyon 2024.

WorldSkills Lyon 2024

WorldSkills Lyon 2024, 10 to 15 September, is the world’s largest international skills competition, featuring 1,400 Competitors from almost 70 countries and regions. The 47th WorldSkills Competition showcases 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 promoting excellence.