EuroSkills is the European Vocational Championship, which is held every two years in one of the 31 WorldSkills Europe member countries. It is not an apprentice championship, but Championships for Young Professionals who have finished their vocational education.

EuroSkills 2021 is the official title of the European vocational skills championships that are due to be staged in Graz, Austria, from 23-25 September 2021. The competitions will take place at the “Schwarzl Freizeitzentrum”, a large area around a lake nearby the City of Graz, while the Opening and Closing Ceremony will be held in another location.

EuroSkills 2021 takes place in Graz | Premstätten from 22 September 2021 to 26 September 2021.

Opening Ceremony: 22 September 2021: 19:30 – Stadthalle Graz, Messeplatz 1, A-8010 Graz

Opening Hours Competition Venue: 23 – 25 September: 8:30 – 17:30

Competitions: 23 – 24 September 2021:  9:00 – 17:00 and on 25 September 2021: 9:00 – 16:00 – Schwarzl Freizeitzentrum, Thalerhofstraße 85, A-8141 Premstätten

Closing Ceremony: 26 September 2021: 16:00 – Stadthalle Graz, Messeplatz 1, A-8010 Graz

The EuroSkills 2021 Competitions take place from 23 September 2021 to 25 September 2021 at Schwarzl Freizeitzentrum, Thalerhofstraße 85, A-8141 Premstätten.

The Opening and Closing Ceremonies take place on 22 September 2021 and 26 September 2021 at Stadthalle Graz, Messeplatz 1, A-8010 Graz.

The “Future of Skills” Conference takes place on 23 September 2021 at Messecongress Graz, Messeplatz 1, A-8010 Graz.

From 23 – 25 September 2021, the Competitors will demonstrate their skills and knowledge in working scenarios related to their professional domains. Experts will prepare tasks and evaluate the results. Visitors will be able to watch the Competitors during Competition, get to know the professional fields they are interested in as well as the companies the Competitors are working for. The event programme also includes a conference. On the final day, all tasks will be evaluated and the winners of the individual professional fields as well as the overall European Champion will be announced during the award ceremony.

The following WorldSkills Europe Member Countries take part at the European Championships of Young Professionals in September 2021 in Graz, Austria:

Austria // Belgium // Cyprus // Czech Republic // Estonia // France // Germany
Hungary // Italy // Kazakhstan // Latvia // Liechtenstein // Luxembourg // Poland
Portugal // Romania // Russia // Slovakia // Slovenia // Switzerland 

EuroSkills 2020 GmbH is a non-profit company with limited liability under Austrian law and is managed by the directors Angelika Ledineg and Harald del Negro. The President of the Styrian Economic Chamber, Josef Herk, is the Chairman of the Supervisory Board, and the Board also includes the Director of the Styrian Economic Chamber, Karl-Heinz Dernoscheg, and its Head of Finance, Anton Lampl. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Styrian Economic Chamber.

EuroSkills 2020 GmbH’s missions consists of staging the Competitions in 2021 as efficiently as possible. The company is the organising body for the European vocational skills championship in Graz. For this reason, it is also clearly separate from Skills Austria, which is the body responsible for setting up the Austrian national team (“Team Austria”). As organisers of EuroSkills 2020, the company is responsible for recruiting and training workshop managers, arranging side events, communication and advertising, finding sponsors and, of course, running the event itself in 2021.

Participating at EuroSkills 2021 is possible for anyone born on or after 1 January 1995. Usually, the maximum age for EuroSkills is 25 years, but due to the postponement by one year, the maximum age for ES2021 is 26 years. The young professionals qualify by winning the national championship in their home country. The qualification for Austrian candidates, for example, already took place in autumn 2018 at the AustrianSkills in Salzburg.

The greatest benefit for EuroSkills 2021 Competitors is the intensive training they are doing during the preparation for the Competitions. This enables them to perfect their skills and gather valuable experience, which they benefit from later in their professional life. The Competitors can also benefit from exchanging ideas with other participants from 31 European countries, which enables them not only to learn from each other, but also to build up an international network of colleagues and experts with other Competitors from all over Europe.

HP8 Pharmacy Technician

Demonstration Skills

A new Competition which is part of EuroSkills for the first time with the required number of Competitors registered is called a “Demonstration Skill”. These Competitions are, however, not simply a “demonstration” of the Skill but are a fully integrated and Official Competition, which is part of the formal EuroSkills event.

Demonstration Skills are required to operate under the Competition rules and governance structure like all other Official Skills at EuroSkills. In their first year, however, they are allowed to operate with one less Competitor or team than those Competitions classified as Official Skills (OS).

Host Presentation Skills

The Competition Organising Committee may present other Skills in order to promote them. These are designated as Host Presentation Skills, and are not subject to Competition Rules and are not officially assessed. If the presentation takes the form of a competition then medals, medallions and/or certificates of participation may be awarded at the discretion of the Competition Organising Committee. These awards cannot be WorldSkills Europe official medals, medallions, or certificates and the associated results will not be included in the WorldSkills Europe official awards lists. The Competition Organising Committee can invite other WSE Members to participate in these Presentation Skills.

The best three Competitors in each skill or trade are awarded with a medal (gold, silver, bronze). The Competitor with the highest score overall wins the “Best of Europe” award.

Candidates who achieve a score of more than 700 points (out of a possible 800) but do not qualify for a medal, receive the “Medaillon of Excellence”.

Furthermore, there is the “Best of Nation” award. This award is given to the Competitor who has achieved the highest score and/or the highest medal in the team of his/her country. The Member’s Technical Delegate takes the decision.

For EuroSkills 2021, Workshop Managers are recruited to ensure that the Competitions run smoothly. One or two managers are needed for each category of skill/profession. During the European Skills Championship 2021 in Styria they will then be responsible for correctly setting up their assigned working areas and ensuring that the competitions run smoothly.

An international event at an European level cannot be staged without the support of many willing helpers. This is why about 400 volunteers are helping through the event and are doing their best to make the Competitions a success. They are important representatives during the event, they make sure that the event is organised in a professional manner and play a key role in shaping the impression made on national and international guests. Thanks to them, it is possible to host thousands of visitors, about 400 participants and their Experts as well as partners, sponsors and other stakeholders.

Everybody is welcome to support EuroSkills 2021.

We are looking for Volunteers with the following profile:

// minimum age 15 years

// friendly, helpful and committed

// good knowledge of English

// knowledge of another foreign language is an advantage

// availability for the entire event period and throughout the event itself, or for shorter periods (depending on the field of work)

For further information, please visit the Volunteer Website.

// Finance & Admin

// Accreditation

// Attachés

// Assembling and dismantling

// Competitions

// Competition Information System (CIS)

// Member Support

// Group Leader

// Logistics

// Marketing & Communication

// Side Events

// Sponsorship & Sales

// Transfer & Shuttle

// Try a Skill

// Volunteer Support

For further information about the working fields, tasks and requirements, please visit our Volunteer Website.

Working as a Volunteer can be counted as a compulsory internship for pupils and students. At some faculties of the University of Graz, the volunteer work can be credited as a free elective course, this applies in particular to the GEWI and URBI faculties. At the end of volunteering, each Volunteer will receive a certificate for their work at EuroSkills 2021. Volunteers will also receive a volunteer outfit and an exciting insight into an international event in Austria. This offers the opportunity to gain experience in various areas and to build up an international network together with other Volunteers.

22 September 2021: Opening Ceremony: 19:30 – Stadthalle Graz, Messeplatz 1, A-8010 Graz

23 to 25 September 2021: Opening hours Competition venue: 8:30 – 17:30 – Schwarzl Freizeitzentrum, Thalerhofstraße 85, A-8141 Premstätten

23 to 25 September 2021: Competitions, Try a Skill:  23 and 24 September 9:00 – 17:00 | 25 September 9:00 – 16:00 – Schwarzl Freizeitzentrum, Thalerhofstraße 85, A-8141 Premstätten

23 September 2021: “Future of Skills” Conference 9:00 – 17:00 – Messecongress Graz, Messeplatz 1, A-8010 Graz

26 September 2021: Closing Ceremony and award ceremony: 16:00 – Stadthalle Graz, Messeplatz 1, A-8010 Graz

There is no detailed schedule, because the Competitors are giving their best from 23 to 25 September 2021. Therefore, you cannot miss any Skill at EuroSkills 2021.

The Competitions take place on 23 and 24 September 2021 from 9:00 – 17:00 at Schwarzl Freizeitzentrum, Thalerhofstraße 8, A-8141 Premstätten.

On 25 September 2021 the Competitions take place from 9:00 – 16:00.

Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony is the official start of the European Championship of the Professions. The ceremonial entry of the Competitors (participants) in the context of the “Parade of Nations” is the absolute highlight of the Opening Ceremony.

// Date: Wednesday, 22 September 2021, 19:30

// Venue: Stadthalle Graz, Messeplatz 1, A-8010 Graz

// Ticket price: € 40,00 incl. VAT

Due to COVID-19, ticket sale will be announced at a later stage.

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Closing Ceremony

The Closing Ceremony is an exciting side event in order to award the talented young professionals. As part of the Closing Ceremony, gold, silver and bronze medals as well as the “Best of Nation” medals will be presented for each Skill.

// Date: Sunday, 26 September 2021, 16:00

// Venue: Stadthalle Graz, Messeplatz 1, A-8010 Graz

// Ticket price: € 50,00 incl. VAT

Due to COVID-19, ticket sale will be announced at a later stage.

EuroSkills 2021 is accompanied by a first-class specialist programme. Various regional, national and European event formats – conferences, meetings, seminars, sessions, lectures and partner programme contributions – will illuminate the core topic „FUTURE OF SKILLS“ from different perspectives.

On the first day of the competition, the official EuroSkills 2021 Conference will take place as a congress at a European level. The EuroSkills 2021 conference is aiming to provide a unique platform for bi- and multilateral networking, mutual exchange and knowledge transfer on the topic „FUTURE OF SKILLS“. Taking into account the existing and future needs of industry, business and educational institutions, it is intended to provide fundamental impulses for the development of new, future-oriented educational and economic policy approaches and to show ways and possible solutions for an economically strong Europe of tomorrow.

FACTS

// Date & time: 23 September 2021, 9:00-17:00

// Location: Messecongress Graz, Messeplatz 1, A-8010 Graz

// Participants: +300 participants from all over Europe

// Formats: Keynote speakers, speeches, discussions, panels

// Conference language: English

// Participation: Live and Online (via streaming)

// Tickets: € 350,00 excl. VAT.; Online Ticket (Streaming): € 90,00 excl. VAT.

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Refund guarantee for safe bookings: In case of cancellation of the Conference because of COVID-19, full ticket prices will be refunded.

For further information, please visit the Conference Website.

Tickets can be purchased online on our website. For ticket sale please click here.

Refund guarantee for safe bookings: In case of cancellation of the Conference because of COVID-19, full ticket prices will be refunded.

Refund guarantee for safe bookings: In case of cancellation of the Conference because of COVID-19, full ticket prices will be refunded. If you have already purchased a ticket but cannot attend the conference, no refund is possible.

Try a Skill is a career information project for pupils, their parents and teachers. It takes place at an interaction area where visitors can try out the Skills (professions) themselves at so-called Try a Skill stations. Try a Skill thus offers young people a practical insight into various professions.

For further information, please click here.

We want to ensure health and safety for everyone of our spectators and the Skills family at the European Championship of Young Professionals. For this purpose, we have developed our EuroSkills 2021 COVID-19 Guide. We currently expect that the entrance to the Competition and side event venues is only allowed with either a proof of COVID-19 vaccination (EMA approved) or a negative COVID-19 test result.

Updates regarding our COVID-19 Guide can be found here.

Based on the COVID-19 prevention concept, we currently expect to welcome 10,000 visitors on one day in three timeslots. We developed our EuroSkills 2021 COVID-19 guide in order to ensure health and safety for every single one of our visitors. Due to the risk of smear infection, surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected regularly. Workshop Managers will take care especially of the Food & Beverage stations. Doors will remain open during the entire event if possible. The cleaning and disinfection of toilet facilities will be carried out at a significantly increased frequency.

We currently expect that entrance to the Competition and side event venues is only allowed with either a proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result. Minimise physical interactions as much as you can. Regular hand washing and disinfecting hands is mandatory. Objects and surfaces should only be touched if actually necessary (open doors, etc.). Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue.

To access our Covid-19 Guide, please click here.

Testing will be a crucial part of minimising transmission: used for tracing and for those identified as a close contact of a positive case; as well as used for diagnosis for those experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

We regularly inform you about new COVID-19 guidelines and legal provisions of the Austrian Federal Government. These guidelines are constantly reviewed and supplemented or adapted if necessary. Click here for COVID-19 updates.

Contact tracing is important to filter out close contacts of a positive COVID-19 case and to be able to inform and act accordingly. For this purpose, please download the app “Stop Corona” on your cell phone from the “AppStore” or “Google Play”. The app is useful for contact tracing. Your data is safe and anonymous.

At the moment, yes. Visiting the event is for free, but online registration is required, which only takes a few minutes. You have to chose a time slot. If you want to spend the whole day at the competition venue, please register online for all three time slots. Otherwise you will have to leave the competition venue when your time slot has expired. At the access control you have to show either a negative COVID-19 test or a vaccination certificate (EMA approved).

Click here for updates.

Visiting EuroSkills 2021 is free of charge, but definitely worth it. To ensure that everything runs smoothly for all guests and due to COVID-19, an online pre-registration and the selection of a time slot are necessary and mandatory. The registration only takes a few minutes! Click here for individual online-registration.

Any day. Since all Skills Competitions take place for three days, you can watch any Skill live at any time on any day. However, keep in mind that your entry ticket is only valid for a certain period of time. If you want to spend the whole day at the competiton venue, please register for all three time slots online.

// Date: 23 – 25 September 2021

// Opening hours: 8:30 – 17:30

// Competitions: 23 and 24 September: 9:00 – 17:00, 25 September 9:00 – 16:00

// Location: Schwarzl Freizeitzentrum, Thalerhofstraße 85, A-8141 Premstätten

We have prepared a Visiting Delegation Guide for you, which provides you with all important information about your stay in Graz and visiting EuroSkills 2021. Please click here to access our Visitor-Website where you will find relevant information about visiting EuroSkills 2021.

For general questions, several info desks will be available at Schwarzl Freizeitzentrum during the event. You can also find information in our App “We are skills”. You can download the app in the App Store as well in the Google Play Store.

“We are Skills” App on Google Play

“We are Skills” App in Apple Store

There will be various catering options for our visitors. We announce at a later date which catering there will be, location plans and payment modalities.

There is no opportunity for venue tours at EuroSkills 2021.

No, dogs and pets in general, are neither allowed on the Competition venue Schwarzl Freizeitzentrum nor at Stadthalle and Messecongress Graz during EuroSkills 2021.

EuroSkills 2021 is an international event. For security reasons and due to the COVID-19 guidelines, all visitors must therefore be registered without exception. A registration is also necessary for contact tracing in case of a COVID-19 infection.

You have to chose an entry time when registering online. If you want to spend the whole day at the competition venue, please register for all three time slots.

For safety and security reasons due to Covid-19, registration is also necessary for individuals to visit EuroSkills 2021. This is of course free of charge.

For registration, please click here

The different time slots allow an efficient and safe visitor management at EuroSkills 2021, so that only a certain number of visitors are at the Competition venue at the same time. If you want to spend the whole day at the competition venue, please register for all three time slots online.

If the maximum number of visitors has not been reached, visitor registration is still possible at any time shortly before the event.

Click here for individual registration.

Click here for group registration.

In this case, please contact the EuroSkills 2021 team at [email protected].

You are welcome to bring your ticket printed out or alternatively show it in electronic form on your mobile phone at the entrance.

We kindly ask you to cancel your ticket via email until 20 September 2021, as this will give other people a chance to experience EuroSkills 2021. If you are unable to attend at short notice, the ticket will expire.

Yes. Group registrations are possible for groups of 10 or more persons. Click here for the group registration. You can register your group for more than one entry time.

For group of 10 persons or more, a separate registration form for visiting EuroSkills 2021 is available. You can select the day and time slot and indicate the number of persons. You can register for more than one time slot. If you want to spend the whole day at the competition venue, please register for all three time slots.

For registration, please click here.

To register a group of visitors, you only need their first and last names and date of birth. As a group leader, you will also be asked to provide your contact details.

Since group registration is only possible for groups of 10 or more persons, we kindly ask you to register each person individually. Click here for the online registration for individuals.

Since group registration is only possible for groups up to 50 persons, we kindly ask you to send an email to [email protected] with the desired day, time and indicated number of people.

EuroSkills 2021 is an international event. For security reasons and COVID-19 guidelines, all visitors must therefore be registered without exception.

There will be a solution for this as well. Please contact [email protected].

Group registration is possible on an ongoing basis. You are welcome to register your group at any time as soon as you know all the data.

If someone from your group cannot attend EuroSkills 2021, the ticket can expire. If someone else is able to take the ticket instead, please let us know by sending an email to [email protected]

Of course, this is also possible. Please send an email with your name, contact details, desired time slot and number of persons of the group to [email protected].

With visitor shuttle, public transport or individual arrivals by car or bus, parking spaces are available at the Competition venue “Schwarzl Freizeitzentrum, Thalerhofstraße 84, A-8141 Premstätten”. Parking is free of charge.

Current schedule for our free visitor shuttles to download!

A free visitor shuttle from the main train station to the Schwarzl Freizeitzentrum and back is set up on all competition days. You can find the timetable for the Event at the bus stop signs or click here to download a current schedule!

Stops:

• Hauptbahnhof
• Andreas-Hofer-Platz
• Jakominiplatz
• Don Bosco
• Schwarzl Freizeitzentrum

By car you can reach Schwarzl Freizeitzentrum via the A9 Pyhrn freeway, exit “Schachenwald”. There are sufficient parking spaces available at the Competition venue. Parking is free of charge.

Address for GPS: Thalerhofstraße 85, A-8141 Premstätten

There are sufficient parking spaces available at the Competition venue “Schwarzl Freizeitzentrum”. Parking is free of charge.

By bus: The competition venue can be reached by bus line 650 and 671 with the exit stop “Schwarzlsee Freizeitzentrum” (buy ticket zone 2).

Graz Public Transport Information:

https://www.graztourismus.at/en/travel-and-transport/mobile-in-graz/bus-and-tram

S-Bahn: Take the S-Bahn line 5 (direction Spielfeld-Straß Bahnhof) to the station “Feldkirchen/Seiersberg” and from there take the bus line 650 or 671 to the exit stop “Schwarzlsee Freizeitzentrum”.

„Bus, Bahn, Bim-App“ oft he Graz public transport company:

BusBahnBim – Apps bei Google Play

‎BusBahnBim im Apple Store (apple.com)

If you are arriving by bus, please a reservation in advance so that this can be integrated into our transport concept. Further information about drop-off points directly at Schwarzl Freizeitzentrum is currently being coordinated and finalized with the relevant authorities. Parking spaces for buses are also available directly at Schwarzl Freizeitzentrum.

Graz has a lot to offer in terms of culinary delights. Please feel free to have a look on the Graz Tourismus website for further information about restaurants.

The city of Graz and the surrounding Styrian regions offer a wide range of accommodations in various locations and price ranges. Accommodations can be booked via Graz Tourismus or via booking.com.

// INCOMING BUREAU – GRAZ UND GRAZ REGION

Graz Tourismus & Stadtmarketing GmbH (Graz Tourist Office)

For many years, the Incoming Office of Graz Tourismus has been known as the perfect contact for

hotel bookings and tourist guides in Graz and the Graz Region.

Website: https://www.graztourismus.at/incoming/en

Please send your bookings to [email protected].

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// Incoming Office – Thermen- & Vulkanland & Eastern Styria: Aktiv Urlaub Steiermark

Incoming specialist fort the regions of Eastern Styria and the Thermen- und Vulkanland region.

Website: https://www.visit-hotspots.com/

Contact: Mr. Marc Fauster I [email protected]

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// Incoming Office – South and Western Styria (Schilcherland, Lipizzanerheimat): CDM Incoming

Incoming specialist for South and Western Styria. Hotel room contigents for individuals and groups.

Website: https://www.cdm.co.at/

Contact: Mrs. Claudia Dunst-Mösenlechner I [email protected]

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// Incoming Office – Österreich: Mondial Destination Management

Mondial Incoming is a specialist for Austria with room contingents in all Austrian Bundesländer.

Website: https://mondial-travel.com/destinations/austria/

Contact: Herr Mag. Wolfgang Lackner I [email protected]

// Incoming Bureau – Styria: EVENTS+

EVENTS+ offers Hotel contingents around Graz within a radius of up to 70km.

Convenient, due to the good connection to the motorway.

Website: https://www.eventsplus.at

Kontakt: Ms. MA Brigitte Allesch I [email protected]

Graz is a fascinating and beautiful city. It is a city with a lot to discover, to see and to experience – after all it is the second largest city in Austria, World Heritage Site, UNESCO City of Design and “Capital of Delight”. In addition, the attractions just outside the city are worth a visit. Countless sightseeing opportunities and outstanding scenic attractions are waiting to be discovered.

Touristic Program Suggestions Graz

EuroSkills 2020 GmbH is a non-profit company with limited liability under Austrian law and is managed by the directors Angelika Ledineg and Harald del Negro. The President of the Styrian Economic Chamber, Josef Herk, is the Chairman of the Supervisory Board, and the Board also includes the Director of the Styrian Economic Chamber, Karl-Heinz Dernoscheg, and its Head of Finance, Anton Lampl. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Styrian Economic Chamber.

Austria has been the most successful nation at EuroSkills. The Austrian team is supported and coached by Skills Austria (headquartered in Vienna). For all enquiries concerning participation in national and international contests please contact Skills Austria.

SUCCESSES (since 2008)

// 199 Austrian competitors

// 111 Austrian medals (96 in individual events and 15 in team events)

// 33 Austrian “Medallion for Excellence” achievement diplomas

WorldSkills Europe is the European umbrella organisation. It is the body that grants the licence to host vocational skills championships and was founded as a member organisation in 2007. Its members are the authorised national qualification organisations (in Austria, the Austrian Chamber of Commerce) from all EU and EFTA member states and from other candidate countries. The main goal of WorldSkills Europe (WSE) is to promote the highest standards in the field of vocational qualifications, vocational education and on skills and craftsmanship, with a clear focus on young people. WorldSkills Europe supports the EU policy of lifelong learning and is dedicated to boosting the attractiveness and value of high-quality vocational education across Europe. WorldSkills Europe currently has 31 member countries.

EuroSkills is the main event for implementing these goals. EuroSkills has been developed in collaboration with the WSE members. All European countries are entitled to join WSE; membership is compulsory for participating in the EuroSkills competitions.

WordSkills International is the name of the international vocational skills championships. Austria has been sending teams to these world championships for many years now and indeed hosted the event in 1983, with the town of Linz as the venue.

WorldSkills is an international vocational skills contest staged every two years. WorldSkills International, a non-profit organization founded in 1953 and with its General Secretariat in the Netherlands, is the body responsible for the vocational skills championships.

WorldSkills’ mission is the ongoing revaluation of the image of skills and trades, industrial and service occupations and of vocational education worldwide – in an innovative manner. WorldSkills currently has 85 member nations.

The main focus of the vocational skills championships is the international competition. It gives young people up to 23 years of age from all over the word the opportunity to showcase their professional skills in about 45 disciplines on an international stage.