Just 300 hours from now, the starting signal will be given for the international showcase for outstanding performance by over 400 skilled workers. The European Skills Championships event is one of the key initiatives against the shortage of skilled workers, which is being felt all over Europe. EuroSkills is combating this trend by enhancing the status of vocational education and training – and turning skilled workers into heroes.

At EuroSkills, the European Skills Championships, the top European skilled workers will demonstrate their expertise in 48 skills competitions. “The fabulous achievements of the Young Professionals leave us with an indescribable joy and sense of drama, like a combination of the spectacular Hahnenkamm downhill ski race and an AC/DC rock concert,” emphasises Josef Herk, Supervisory Chairman of EuroSkills 2021. The event also helps to address the urgent need to enhance the status of vocational education, says Herk: “At EuroSkills, we’re preparing an international stage for the Young Professionals and turning skilled workers into heroes. The event supports our companies through targeted measures to make skills and trades more attractive, thereby ensuring that highly trained, skilled workers will still be available in the future.”

The shortage of skilled workers has long since grown into a Europe-wide challenge. The working population in the European Union is expected to fall by up to seven percent by 2030. “The demographic change is also causing a decrease of the number of skilled workers,” warns Dita Traidas, President of WorldSkills Europe. “This gap can only be closed by a highly qualified, skilled workforce,” she stresses. “The future belongs to Young Professionals throughout Europe. Highly trained, skilled workers are the backbone of society and the economy,” agrees Stefan Praschl, Vice President of WorldSkills Europe, who is also happy to point out: “At EuroSkills, we can now offer them the stage they deserve for their achievements – starting less than 300 hours from now.”

The final preparations for the event are currently in progress, with eleven out of the twelve huge, temporary structures already in place in the “Skills Village”, and plumbing systems, wastewater and power units installed there. Flooring and lighting will follow, and the first machines and products for the competitions will arrive over the next few weeks. The CNC systems, which have been specially produced for EuroSkills and weigh several tons, together with excavators and wheel loaders, will be accommodated in the Davis Cup hall, where the foundations have a particularly high load capacity.

Smaller components and tools will be taken to the event venue by mid-September, when the final acceptance checks of the European Championships competition areas will be carried out by the Competition Committee, which is chaired by Guillaume Suteau. The other committee members – one from each participating country – are responsible for ensuring compliance with the rules and will sit on the judging panels during the competitions.

The preparations are also continuing to a highly professional standard in the 19 participating member countries, stresses Francis Hourant, on behalf of the WorldSkills Europe member countries: “All WorldSkills Europe member countries are doing a great job of supporting the development of the young competitors.” Many countries are holding team-building camps and other events, for example. “The level of organisation in all the member countries is superb, and no country is leaving anything to chance. EuroSkills is a showdown of the very best – and that includes organisation,” says Hourant.

This professionalism is appreciated by the great many sponsors, such as “Diamond Sponsor” Energie Steiermark: “As a Styrian flagship company, we regard it as our duty, rather than simply a voluntary undertaking, to invest in young, talented people. That’s why we are delighted to be partnering EuroSkills 2021. We are convinced that the event will help show vocational skills and qualifications as a key factor for business success,” emphasises company spokesman Urs Harnik-Lauris.

Anyone wishing to come along to the event venue and cheer on the national and international competitors must pre-register at tickets.euroskills2021.com. Visitors must comply with the Covid regulations currently in place (with evidence of vaccination or recovery, or a negative Covid test) and can register to visit the site during one or more of the following time slots: from 8:30 to 11:30 am, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, and/or 2:30 to 5:30 pm. For each time slot, a maximum of 3,500 visitors will be allowed access to the 70,000 square metres of premises at the Schwarzl Freizeit Zentrum lakeside leisure and event centre. This will allow over 20 square metres per visitor at all times.

Excitement is growing and the sense of anticipation is huge!

Read more facts and details in the press release!