WorldSkills Lyon 2024: a showcase of pride, aspiration, and self-belief

Pride, determination, and raw talent have reached every corner of Eurexpo Lyon in the last four days. For Competitors across the 59 Official Skills and 3 Exhibition Skills, it is the culmination of years of training. Each station tells a story of dedication and expertise, with every young person working diligently and precisely to reach the benchmark set by the WorldSkills Occupational Standards.

Now, the 47th WorldSkills Competition has come to its final day, but the impact of WorldSkills Lyon 2024 will go on well beyond the six days of the event. The Competition is a catalyst for long-term transformation. A critical part of large-scale national strategies to promote skills excellence, WorldSkills Competitions nurture young talent, build confidence and self-esteem, and create a collective sense of pride in skills.

Younger students visiting the Competition have watched 1,400 skilled young people being celebrated for their talents and have felt motivated to explore their own potential. Tom, a school child from the UK, said, “We loved seeing all the people doing their skills and all the hard work that was going into it.”

His older brother, Dougie, was surprised at the scale of the Competition saying, “I didn’t realize there were so many different skills. It is inspiring to see what we have ahead of us.”

What may be less obvious to visitors is the life skills these Champions have developed alongside their exceptional technical skills. Being part of a WorldSkills Competition requires resilience, innovation, adaptability, communication, and teamwork, all strengths industries want in their future workforce.

Shae White, WorldSkills Champions Trust representative for the Americas recalls that she only became fully aware of her life skills when she went into the world of work, saying, “I can confidently say WorldSkills made me the woman I am today. It has pushed me to grow both personally and professionally. I say to Competitors today, you should be proud of what you have accomplished to get here and to complete this Competition. You will always be a WorldSkills Champion.”

The pride felt through WorldSkills drives a sense of purpose and identity, encouraging young people to pursue their passions and excel in diverse fields. As the Competition comes to an end, the experiences and achievements will transform individuals, as much as communities, industries, and countries far into the future.

David Hoey, CEO of WorldSkills International says, “These national Champions are now WorldSkills Champions. Over the last four days, they have been powerful role models for the tens of thousands of students that have walked past their workshop. Their impact will reach much farther and wider than they could ever imagine."

Follow the final moments of the Competition on our social channels and be inspired by stories of other Champions through our Make Your Mark campaign.

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.