Looking for an interactive way to meet people who are interested in the same topics, themes and issues as you? Then we know you will be as excited as us to hear that registrations for the WorldSkills Leipzig 2013 Conference Program are now open!

By WorldSkills Russia

On 27 April the first Open WorldSkills Russia National Competition was held in Tolyatti (Samara Region). The Competition, which was held over five days, was organized by the national Member of WorldSkills International in the Russian Federation the Foundation “Education to Society” and in support of the Competition was the Ministry of Education of Russia and the Agency of Strategic Initiatives of the Russian Government.

By Isabella Staal, WorldSkills International 

Looking to take some time out from the heat of the Competition? Why not do so while supporting our Competitors’ in Restaurant Service - did I mention all-the-while sipping on a crisp glass of vino and enjoying a three course meal?! Sound tempting? We thought so, that is why we are giving you the opportunity to get in first and register to be one of our official guests at the Restaurant Service Competition.

Places are filling up quickly so get in fast, after all who doesn’t love a free lunch...

By Skills Finland

The Finnish National Skills Competition Taitaja is the biggest annual event for vocational students in Finland. In 2013, it happened in Joensuu Areena from 14-16 May. Approximately 35,000 people were expected to visit the event.

Official Media Website for WorldSkills Leipzig 2013

Once again, the Official Media Website for the event has been established and populated with easy to find and use resources including photos, Competitor profiles, videos, list of past medalists, etc. The address for the website is http://media.worldskills.org

During WorldSkills London 2011, we uploaded over 26,000 high resolution photos onto the WorldSkills Flickr channel and over 50 high quality short vignettes onto WSTV. This year, we plan on uploading even more photos and videos. Plus, we will be covering the event through social media channels like never before.

If you want to get the latest news and to be able to feel like they are part of the event, connect with WorldSkills International on all the social media channels.

By Isabella Staal, WorldSkills International 

The results are in and we are proud to announce the top three entrants of our WorldSkills Leipzig 2013 Certificate design mini-competition! WorldSkills International announced the competition on 20 February calling on people looking to try out there creative side on designing a new participant certificate to be used for the upcoming 42nd WorldSkills Competition in Leipzig, Germany.

Siemens is product sponsor of WorldSkills Leipzig 2013 From 2-7 July. Siemens will also be exhibiting at the event under the banner "Discover your Skill and Opportunities together with Siemens".

Siemens is supporting WorldSkills Leipzig 2013 by supplying state-of-the-art industrial automation and drive technology products for the Industrial Control, Electrical Installations and Polymechanics/Automation skills. For the CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) Turning, CNC Milling, Manufacturing Team Challenge skills and the demonstration skill Plastic Die Engineering, Siemens will also be providing the CNC controllers in cooperation with the Skill Presenter DMG/Moriseki. At the Booth in Hall 3 Siemens will be presenting sustainable training concepts such as the dual vocational system in Germany and the special offer for a combined university study and vocational education degree.

By WorldSkills Russia

From 27 April to 1 May 2013, the first Open WorldSkills Russia National Competition will be held in Tolyatti (Samara region). The Competition is organized by the Foundation "Education to Society", which is the national Member of WorldSkills International in the Russian Federation, and supported by the Ministry of Education of Russia and Agency of Strategic Initiatives of Government Russia. 

More than 320 young people from several regions of Russia are participating in this event. Alongside the Competition we have organized a whole range of educational events such as workshops, round tables and discussions together with an exhibition of the educational institutions from various Russia Regions.

During the Competition we’re going to welcome several thousands guests including government representatives, educational organizations, representatives of public and business sector. Among the guests of the competition will be: Vladimir Putin – President of Russia, Simon Bartley – President WSI, Dmitry Livanov – Ministry of Education, Stefan Praschl - Vice President Technical Affairs WSI, Pekka Mattikainen – Team Leader SkillsFinland and Experts from Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Belgium and Iceland.

By WorldSkills Leipzig 2013

We have a special message from the WorldSkills host city for you: WELCOME TO LEIPZIG 2013!

On 16 April 2013 the Mayor of Leipzig and the WorldSkills Leipzig 2013 team had the honour of presenting the countdown clock to the people of Leipzig and the city's guests at the Leipzig Main Station.

During the event, there was a flash mob and we have produced a short film clip that you can access and watch on the WorldSkillsTV channel on YouTube.

By Katja Orzol, WorldSkills Leipzig 2013

During the Competition Preparation Week students from schools in and around Leipzig met Delegates from the countries/regions they were paired up with in the One School One Country initiative. For students and Members this was the kickoff event to start communicating around the world. Since then emails and letters have been going around the world and many Members have happily received postcard greetings from their partner school. A package filled with chocolate and personal regards surprised the Competitors of Iceland. For Team New Zealand, the students produced a short film bringing their region Wurzen closer in advance of the visit on 2 July.

One thing is for sure, that the students are very exited to meet their superstar Competitors! 

By WorldSkills Leipzig 2013

A countdown clock situated in Leipzig Central Station is keeping track of the days until WorldSkills Leipzig 2013 which begins on 2 July. Elena Singer, member of the German national team and competing in Print Media Technology, unveiled the clock last week with the Mayor of Leipzig, Burkhard Jung.

The countdown clock was made possible by contributions from Sparkasse Leipzig and the Industrial Initiative for Central Germany.

By WorldSkills UK

Pastry chef Will Torrent, who competed at WorldSkills Shizuoka 2007 winning the first Medallion for Excellence in his skill for the UK, has launched his debut recipe book ‘Pâtisserie at Home’ .

The book aims to “take the fear factor out of French patisserie”. Complete with a foreword by Heston Blumenthal it includes step-by-step photography, a no-nonsense approach to the key pastry techniques and more than 60 beautifully illustrated recipes including chapters on Basic Techniques, Pâtisserie, Tarts, Petits Fours, Gâteaux & Desserts, and Viennoiserie.

Will was also crowned the winner of the WorldSkills UK Alumni Award for Outstanding Achievement in 2012, appointed as a member of the WorldSkills UK Alumni Advisory Board and in now part of the training team for Team UK pastry chef Competitor Stephen Smith who will compete at WorldSkills Leipzig 2013.

By WorldSkills South Africa

The South African Member of WorldSkills International will be officially launched at the College of Cape Town, Pinelands Campus on Thursday, 18 April 2013. The President of WorldSkills International, Mr Simon Bartley, and South African Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr Mduduzi Comfort Manana, are the keynote speakers. It will focus on directing the Department of Higher Education & Training to take on a leading role in re-positioning WorldSkills South Africa as the driving force for the promotion of world-class vocational skills in South Africa. Through WorldSkills, South Africa will gain maximum benefit from the exchange and comparison of world-class competency standards in the industrial trades and service sectors of the global economy.

By Claudia Fischer, WorldSkills Leipzig 2013

WorldSkills Leipzig 2013 and Jugendpresse Deutschland have initiated a writers contest for aspiring journalists. Young writers between the ages of 16 and 25 may submit essays on the topic "Discover the possibilities: Vocational training for success" by 5 May 2013. Any type of article in German will be accepted. Submission should not exceed a length of 3,000 characters.

"This writing competition is a great opportunity to get informed and raise awareness about the broad possibilities of the dual vocational training system", says Hubert Romer, CEO of WorldSkills Leipzig 2013, adding "I am quite excited to read the many reports, essays and articles."

By Bahrain News Agency

Supreme Council for Youth and Sport Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee President Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa patronized the Opening Ceremony of the third WorldSkills GCC Competition at Isa Cultural Centre, Manama, Bahrain.

The Opening Ceremony was attended by Education Minister Dr Majid bin Ali Al-Nuaimi and GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) Secretary-General Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani.

Dr Al-Nuaimi addressed the event, thanking Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa for patronzsing the Competition, which reflects Bahrain's keenness on promoting youth.

By Jordy de Groot, Skills Netherlands

With 30,149 visitors, Skills Masters 2013, the Dutch skills and careers event, was a huge success once again. Thousands of youngsters have caught a glimpse of true craftsmanship during the Skills competitions, and had a chance to get involved themselves, through a range of ‘try a trade activities’.

This year a new element was introduced: ‘Skills Juniors’. Here, youngster between the ages of ten and thirteen, were given the chance to participate in their very own Skills competition.

Skills Netherlands managing director, Jos de Goey stated:

“We’ve let these youngster get involved in a fun and easy way. The enthusiasm they and their parents shared was inspirational! All in all it was a very successful pilot!”

Thousands of youngsters joined a so-called ‘school programme’, in which they had to visit various stands, and answer questions, which in turn will be discussed in class. The success of this school programme once again underlines the necessity of letting youngsters get involved in vocational orientation at a young age.

Dr Ji Oh Song, Executive Vice President and Senior Advisor Samsung Electronics with Hubert Romer, CEO WorldSkills Leipzig 2013 (Photo: Samsung)

By Werner Kipp, WorldSkills Leipzig 2013

For the first time in history, a WorldSkills Competition has an Overall Event Presenter: Samsung.

This is a testament to Samsung's support of the development and promotion of vocational skills around the world. An agreement has been signed today by Dr Ji Oh Song, Executive Vice President and Senior Advisor at Samsung and Hubert Romer, CEO of WorldSkills Leipzig 2013.

By Jasmine Plowright, National Apprenticeship Service UK

Last week, the majority of Squad UK Competitors battled it out for a place in Team UK for WorldSkills Leipzig 2013 in a series of selection competitions, held over 3 weeks across 11 sites. Those in the running have been training since 2012 as part of Squad UK.

Each Competitor faced strict competition conditions for 22 hours. Tension levels were high as the competitions were designed to accurately reflect the conditions Team UK will face at WorldSkills Leipzig 2013.

WorldSkills Plumbing and Heating Chief Expert Grant Stewart (AU) at the Nepal Sanitation Studio.

By Seán Kearney, WorldSkills Foundation

It has been a busy start to 2013 for WorldSkills Foundation, with the launch of two ‘proof-of-concept’ Innovation Lab projects. Through the WorldSkills network, Innovation Labs aim to focus on real-world challenges in the vocational education and training field, promote international exchange of knowledge and skills, and create new working partnerships between WorldSkills Member countries/regions and other stakeholders.

But the key ingredient for Innovation Labs will be our WorldSkills Champions. Our goal is to offer more opportunities to collaborate, learn, and gain further world-class expertise after the competition experience.

As valued members of the WorldSkills movement our Global Industry Partner Autodesk has opened its doors to you for FREE software!

Make what’s next! Students now have the opportunity to learn using Autodesk Software for FREE. There are over 40 applications available to help students of all ages improve skills spanning, architecture, building, construction, manufacturing, and media and entertainment.

Spread the word! Tell your friends. Banner ads have been designed for you to download and post on your Facebook pages, university, vocational, high school, junior high and elementary school websites.

Downloads: Banner ads to spread the word  

FREE student software from Autodesk

Autodesk has been commited to WorldSkills and training the next generation of skilled professionals since 2007. Autodesk, Inc. is a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software. Customers across the manufacturing, architecture, building, construction, and media and entertainment industries ― including the last 17 Academy Award winners for Best Visual Effects — use Autodesk software to design, visualize and simulate their ideas. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk continues to develop the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art software for global markets. For more information about the Autodesk Education Community visit: http://students.autodesk.com/