The end of the beginning...

In his remarks at the 16 August 2015 Closing Ceremony of WorldSkills São Paulo 2015, Simon Bartley, President of WorldSkills, paraphrased the legendary former British Prime Minister and world leader Winston Churchill by stating that the conclusion of the Competition was not an end. Rather, he referred to the Ceremony as “merely the end of the beginning”. Bartley continued, “I give you my pledge that we in WorldSkills will continue to improve our world with the power of skills.” For the over 9,000 in the audience, this was a celebratory, forward-looking sentiment, and one that was affirming for all the organizations and individuals involved in this history-making Competition.

The 43rd WorldSkills Competition was the largest in history and the first-ever WorldSkills Competition held in Latin America. The sheer size of the Competition venue, Anhembi Park, the combined number of Competitors, Experts, and volunteers, and the visitor count of 250,000 added up to a distinctive moment in WorldSkills history. The Competition was intense among Competitors, and fully supported by Experts, Delegates, sponsors and partners, families and friends, and visitors who now have a greater appreciation of the ways in which skills keep the world working today and secure our economic and social future.

The Competition began with the Opening Ceremony held on Tuesday, 11 August at the Ibirapuera Gymnasium in São Paulo, Brazil. The official start of the Competition kicked off with the Parade of Nations - including 59 countries and regions represented by Competitors with their flags flying and their heads held high - demonstrating their personal pride in the opportunity to compete in their skill on the world-class WorldSkills stage. The night featured sophisticated and fantastic performances representing the best of Brazil’s heritage, arts, and culture, and ended with a colourful, carnival-like samba celebration bringing the audience to their feet - everyone energized and ready to meet the challenges of the Competition. Then, following four days of Competition, WorldSkills Conference Programme sessions, networking opportunities, and special events, on 16 August 2015 WorldSkills São Paulo 2015 came to an inspiring and exciting conclusion, topped by the presentation of Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals, the Medallions for Excellence, the Best of Nation medals, and the Albert Vidal Award - which was presented to three Competitors, for the first time in history. It is impossible to put into words the glorious celebration and collective pride that accompanied the Ceremony. You will find results of the Competition at www.worldskills.org/results/. 

See the Competition highlight video or watch the Closing Ceremony.