WorldSkills Japan hosts 2020 National Competition

WorldSkills Japan has become the latest WorldSkills Member to overcome the challenges of COVID-19 and successfully hold its National Competition. A combination of strict social distancing and remote technology saw nearly 950 young men and women compete in 40 skills.

Taking place at seven venues, spectators watched via video livestreams including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Participants had mandatory daily health checks from two weeks before the event and a special identity card that had to be presented each day. Inside the Aichi Sky Expo, at Aichi’s international airport, Competitors, Experts, and judges observed social distancing and hygiene measures.

Other venues included the École De Pâtisserie de Nagoya and Toyota Motor Corporation’s Tajimi Service Center. This was the 58th National Skills Competition organized by WorldSkills Japan, which joined WorldSkills back in 1961, competing for the first time the following year. The four-day event was hosted by the country’s Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare and Japan Vocational Ability Development Association (WorldSkills Japan).

Kenichi Yagi, Vice Chair of Steering Committee of the National Skills Competition, said they had worked towards “fulfilling young Competitors’ ambitions,” with the measures taken.

“We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all concerned and also share our success with my colleagues of WSI members,” he said.

You can watch videos of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies as well as Competition highlights on the WorldSkills Japan website or YouTube.