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Fill youth with

enthusiasm through
special action!
Convince young
peoples parents,
trainers and company
chiefs that a
promising future is
possible only through

What is WorldSkills International?

good vocational

WorldSkills International (WSI) is a notforprofit international membership

association open to agencies or bodies which have a responsibility for promoting
vocational education and training in their respective countries/regions. WSI
operates worldwide and is politically and denominationally neutral. Its aim is to
raise the status and standards of vocational skills and training worldwide. Its
principal activity is organising the WorldSkills Competition in a different Member
country/region every two years. WSI currently has members in 50 countries/regions
and is committed to expanding and reaching more countries/regions in the future.

training.
Francisco AlbertVidal
IVTO President
19841992.

The continued growth of WSI attests to the fact that traditional trade and craft
skills along with the newer technology multiskilled vocations make an essential
contribution to the economic and social well being of people everywhere. As a
free standing, nonpolitical organisation, WSI provides a cost effective means for
global government, education and industry cooperation in achieving higher
standards and status for vocational education and training on a worldwide basis.

History of WorldSkills International

As WorldSkills is now nearly 60 years old, it was an inspired idea which was strong
enough to grow successfully into the future. Of course, behind every successful
idea or venture there has to be someone who puts it into action. In the case of
WorldSkills Competitions it was Spain, or more precisely, some inspired and
passionate people, who organised the first international skill competitions,
beginning with Portugal and then another five European countries, and hosted
the Competitions in Madrid each year right through the 1950's.
Tjerk (Jack) Dusseldorp, President of WorldSkills International
In 1946 and there was a great need for skilled workers in Spain. Mr. Jos Antonio
Elola Olaso, who was General Director of OJE (Spanish Youth Organisation),
had an insight: it was necessary to convince youth, as well as their parents,
teachers and prospective employers, that their future depended on an effective
vocational training system.
Mr. Olaso chose Francisco AlbertVidal to further develop this idea together with
Antonio Almagro Diaz and Faustino Ramos Diaz, who were on different occasions
directors of the Work Centres. For this challenge, the most suitable solution was
apparently to promote through a competition, this would enable youth spirit to
be inspired, adults would discuss competition results and visitors would be able to
see a great variety of trades being demonstrated. Thus the idea of the WorldSkills
Competition was born and became a reality in 1950 with the first Iberian
Competition and an organisation called the International Vocational Training
Organisation was developed (IVTO).
In 1953, more European countries took part in the Competition. In 1954, the first
organising council composed by official and technical representatives of the
participating countries/regions was established to set the rules for international
competitions. 55 years later, this model is still in place with Official and Technical
Delegates from all 50 countries/regions in WorldSkills International.

History Of WorldSkills International

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Without skills there is

History of WorldSkills Competitions

no global economy.

WorldSkills International has come to symbolise the pinnacle of excellence in

vocational education and training. Every two years, hundreds of young skilled
people, accompanied by their teachers and trainers, gather together from around
the world to compete before the public in their various skills and test themselves
against demanding international standards. They represent the best of their peers
drawn from regional and national skill competitions held currently in 50
countries/regions. The experience and results of all the competitions provide
valuable feedback both to the individuals and the systems and enterprises in
which they are being trained. For some it is recognition for outstanding
achievement, while for others it provides the motivation and knowledge to
aspire to higher standards. For the onlookers it is a revealing experience to see
highly competent and skilled young people in action.

WorldSkills
International mission:

To promote, through
the cooperative
actions of Members, a
worldwide awareness
of the essential
contribution that skills
and high standards of
competence make to
the achievement of
economic success and
individual fulfilment.
19841992.

From 24 Competitors and 2 countries in 1950, the WorldSkills Competition is set

to reach over 1000 Competitors from 51 countries in 2009. The 40th WorldSkills
Competition in Calgary, Canada September 17, 2009 will be the biggest
Competition to date.

Past Competition Years and Locations

1st 1950: Madrid, Spain
2nd 1951: Madrid, Spain
3rd 1953: Madrid, Spain
4th 1955: Madrid, Spain
5th 1956: Madrid, Spain
6th 1957: Madrid, Spain
7th 1958: Brussels, Belgium
8th 1959: Modena, Italy
9th 1960: Barcelona, Spain
10th 1961: Duisburg, Germany
11th 1962: Gijn, Spain
12th 1963: Dublin, Ireland
13th 1964: Lisbon, Portugal
14th 1965: Glasgow, United Kingdom
15th 1966: Utrecht, Netherlands
16th 1967: Madrid, Spain
17th 1968: Bern, Switzerland
18th 1969: Brussels, Belgium
19th 1970: Tokyo, Japan
20th 1971: Gijn, Spain
21st 1973: Munich, Germany

22nd 1975: Madrid, Spain

23rd 1977: Utrecht, Netherlands
24th 1978: Busan, Korea
25th 1979: Cork, Ireland
26th 1981: Atlanta, USA
27th 1983: Linz, Austria
28th 1985: Osaka, Japan
29th 1988: Sydney, Australia
30th 1989: Birmingham, United Kingdom
31st 1991: Amsterdam, Netherlands
32nd 1993: Taipei, Chinese Taipei
33rd 1995: Lyon, France
34th 1997: St. Gallen, Switzerland
35th 1999: Montreal, Canada
36th 2001: Seoul, Korea
37th 2003: St Gallen, Switzerland
38th 2005: Helsinki, Finland
39th 2007: Shizuoka, Japan
40th 2009: Calgary, Canada
41st 2011: London, United Kingdom

WorldSkills International (WSI) is more than a Competition, it is an

organisation with multiple events and activities that work towards
its mission. With activities like the WorldSkills Leaders Forum and
the WorldSkills Premiere Experience to reach senior policy and
decision makers, WSI is taking an active role in raising the level of
excellence in skilled careers throughout the world. Through
youthoriented programs like the WorldSkills Youth Forum, the
WorldSkills Champions Exchange and the WorldSkills Portal, WSI
is finding new and innovative ways to engage and involve youth
beyond the WorldSkills Competition. These programs offer them a
chance to stay connected and have a say in the organisation.
As WSI moves into the future, it continues to reach new milestones
and gain new footholds in the world economy as a viable and crucial
organisation for launching the global economy through excellence
in skilled careers.

History Of WorldSkills International