The WorldSkills Kazan 2019 Opening Ceremony took place this evening at the Kazan Arena in Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan, Russia.
The Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Mr Dmitry Medvedev, addressed Competitors and audience in a speech delivered after the show.
“Russia hosts a global-level skills competition for the first time, and we are very proud of that. The WorldSkills Competition has become far more than just a youth contest. In fact, it has grown into a Competition for the Future, forming a diverse multicultural and international platform where participants can work, compete, and communicate; for the Future, where inspiration, discovery, friendship, and new achievements find place,” expressed Mr Medvedev.
This is the first time a WorldSkills Competition has been held in Russia or the CIS. The event is at the heart of the reforms of the skills training system across all 85 regions of Russia.
“WorldSkills does help find one’s path in life and reach one’s potential. And this is the reason of the movement’s success in Russia. I wish each of the Competitors good luck and success, and to be able to settle the nerves. Have faith in yourself, and you will make it through. I declare open the 45th WorldSkills Competition,” added Mr Medvedev.
“We have great expectations for the next days, our anticipation heightened by this marvellous opening ceremony and the sight of all those young people carrying the flags of so many nations, as well as carrying the hopes of their generation. What they show, and what we say, loud and clear, is that Skills Change Lives, and that they can transform societies and economies, as well as bringing prosperity and stability across the World,” shared Mr Simon Bartley, President of WorldSkills International, during his speech.
WorldSkills Kazan 2019 is expected to be the largest WorldSkills Competition ever held, and takes place during four days at the Kazan Expo International Exhibition Centre.
The Ceremony ended with Competitors and Experts taking the WorldSkills oaths. The organization’s flag was then raised marking the start of the world championships of vocational skills.
WorldSkills Kazan 2019
WorldSkills Kazan 2019 will be held from August 22-27. Close to 1,300 competitors from 63 WorldSkills Member countries and regions will compete in 56 skills. This will be the largest international event in Russia in 2019.
Kazan was awarded the right to hold the event in 2015, after a vote of WorldSkills Members. WorldSkills Russia works in all 85 regions of the country and is one of the priority projects for the federal government in the field of personnel training and economic development.
Press Office of WorldSkills Kazan 2019 Competition Organizer
