About 600 delegates from more than 60 countries and regions take part in WorldSkills Kazan 2019 Competition Preparation Week

On 21-27 January 2019, WorldSkills Kazan 2019 Competition Preparation Week (CPW2019) will be hosted in Kazan, Russia. On the eve of the opening of the Week, a press conference was held at “Tatmedia” Republican Agency for Press and Mass Communications. CEO of WorldSkills International David Hoey, Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Tatarstan Rafis Burganov, and Deputy Director General of the Young Professionals Union (WorldSkills Russia) in charge of federal and international WorldSkills Competitions Karina Salikova took part in the event.

“One of the most important objectives for WorldSkills Kazan 2019 for us is to bring the residents of both Russia and the whole world closer to understanding the importance of skills in our lives. We will show young people that learning skills is the right choice. We also want to show the governments of countries, leading enterprises and, of course, parents the significant role of skills in building the economy of the future,” said David Hoey, CEO of WorldSkills International.

Competition Preparation Week is an important milestone in the planning of the 45th WorldSkills Competition. About 600 people from more than 60 Member countries and regions will take part including WorldSkills Champions, Official and Technical Delegates, Skill Management Teams, Team Leaders, and Global Partners.

In conjunction with the planning of the Competition, discussions on complementary elements of the event, including the International Ministers Summit, WorldSkills Conference 2019, and One School One Country will be held. The Board of Directors of WorldSkills International will also host a meeting.

“In addition to planning meetings to finalize the logistical requirements of each of the 56 skills hosted at WorldSkills Kazan 2019, attendees will visit the Competition Venue, Kazan Expo International Exhibition Centre, to get acquainted with the infrastructure and services. Their visit will include a trip to WorldSkills Village, official home of the Competitors and Experts during the event,” said Rafis Burganov. 

The WorldSkills Kazan 2019 Organizing Committee, led by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation in charge of Social Policy Tatyana Golikova will meet on 24 January.

On 25 January, One School One Country will launch, connecting 57 schools in Kazan with WorldSkills Members. The goal of this programme is to promote skills to youth, and provide a cultural exchange between the Competitors and local Russian students. During Competition Preparation Week, WorldSkills Workshops will also be conducted in educational institutions across Tatarstan. 

According to Deputy Director General of the Young Professionals (WorldSkills Russia) Union, Karina Salikova, one of the main tasks of the Competition is to enhance the existing system of vocational training in Russia. The national track of WorldSkills Conference 2019, implemented by WorldSkills Russia in cooperation with the Competition's national strategic partner, Rosatom, is aimed at this very goal. The state corporation initiated research of best vocational training experiences among WorldSkills Members. 

WorldSkills Conference 2019 will include two international days, during which participants will discuss global economic, societal, and environment challenges. Day 1 will be dedicated to identifying the challenges, while Day 2 will have special tracks focused on developing regional solutions. The third day will feature a Russian national track. Up to 1,200 people are expected to take part in the WorldSkills Conference.

The WorldSkills Conference includes an important research initiative that will continue after the Competition. It will establish purposeful actions that should be taken to meet employment challenges confronting modern economies.

“Everything that is implemented as part of the Competition is not just for a large international event. It’s not just an opportunity to see skills in action; it's the opportunity to reflect on what lies ahead of us. Where young people will be working 5-10 years after high school graduation. We will inspire children to take up a solid career, so that their skills and aspirations could help them fulfill themselves and be happy,” Karina Salikova said.

About WorldSkills Kazan 2019

The 45th WorldSkills Competition – the main international event of 2019 in Russia – will bring together more than 1,600 young professionals representing over 60 countries and regions who will compete in 56 skills. It will take place in Kazan on 22-27 August 2019. It is expected that more than 250,000 spectators will attend the Competition and associated events.

Kazan won the right to host the Competition in 2015 having been ahead of other WorldSkills International member countries after voting. The WorldSkills Russia movement embraces 85 Russian regions and is one of the leading staff training projects.

Press Office of WorldSkills Kazan 2019 Competition Organizer