WorldSkills France national competition sets the stage for WorldSkills Lyon 2024

Just as the one year countdown began for WorldSkills Lyon 2024, the city of Lyon welcomed 800 Competitors for the WorldSkills France national competition. From 14 to 16 September, young skilled professionals from 15 regions across the French territories put their skills into action, culminating in an exciting Closing Ceremony, which revealed the composition of the French team for the next world championship.

As tens of thousands of school children navigated the halls of Eurexpo Lyon, they experienced 70 interactive exhibits encouraging them to discover new skills and careers pathways.

The WorldSkills France nationals served as a test for the 47th WorldSkills Competition, set to take place in the same venue from 10 to 15 September 2024.

Twenty international delegations were invited by the Organizing Committee to participate at the French nationals, either taking part in the Competition or observing. In total, over 130 people from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Morocco, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, Slovakia, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom, were part of the delegation.

For the Competitors, it was a chance to further their training in an international environment.

“The experience has taught me to plan my work, to manage stressful situations, and to find creative solutions in every situation using only the available materials. It was both challenging and interesting,” said Krista Vanaga, Visual Merchandising Competitor from Latvia.

During the Closing Ceremony on the evening of 16 September, the international Competitors were called onstage to receive participation medals by WorldSkills Lyon 2024 Executive Director, Frank Le Roux.

After the screening of a video marking one year until WorldSkills Lyon 2024, WorldSkills Champions Trust representative for Europe, Cloé Lemarechal, marched across the stage carrying the WorldSkills flag. A Champion from WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition, Cloé represented France in Fashion Technology, and won a gold medal for the same skill at the International Abylimpics Competitions 2023.

Minutes before, President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron had addressed the attendants via a video in which he motivated Champions to ensure the world was welcomed at WorldSkills Lyon 2024, but also to strive for medals and recognition.

“I want to remind you of the importance of skills and of the sectors that you represent. We are currently going through an important stage in the development of training at the professional high schools, and we have also worked hard over the last six years to develop apprenticeships – which we are convinced are a success,” said President Macron adding that the ultimate goal is to revolutionize the professional high school in order to “win the battle against school dropouts and employability.”

The attendance of many federal representatives including Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister of State for the Digital Transition, and Carole Grandjean, Minister of State for Vocational Education and Training, demonstrates the value placed on skills development in France, the work of WorldSkills France, and the growing excitement for WorldSkills Lyon 2024.

They were joined by former Prime Minister Jean Castex, Patrick Martin, President of MEDEF, François Asselin, President of CPME, Camille Augey, Deputy Mayor of the City of Lyon, Philippe Guérand, President of the Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Philippe Valentin, President of the Chamber of Commerce of the City of Lyon.

WorldSkills Lyon 2024 will show the world that Where there is a skill, there is a way. A major industrial centre and a global leader in gastronomy and cuisine, the city of Lyon will host WorldSkills Lyon 2024 from 10 to 15 September 2024. Over 1,500 Competitors from over 60 countries and regions will compete in 62 skill competitions. Organizing the Competition in France aligns with the country’s strategy to promote vocational education and training to adapt to current and future employment needs.