After fencing and blind football, it's time for plumbing and 3D at Worldskills

Some 250.000 visitors are expected at the Eurexpo site, where 1.400 competitors under the age of 23 will be welcomed. More than 70 countries and regions are participating, following national selections.

Mason or plumber, baker or nurse, specialist in refrigeration systems, floral art or 3D, cybersecurity or software solutions for business, in electronics, robotics, in the automotive or aviation sectors... A wide range of professions are in the spotlight.

“This is the third Olympiad of the year!” said Frank Le Roux, CEO of WorldSkills Lyon 2024, during a presentation press conference.

And as at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the competition will have an opening ceremony on Tuesday evening with its "parade of nations". President Emmanuel Macron, an ardent defender of apprenticeship, is expected there, according to the organizers, even if his presence remains to be confirmed.

Among the visitors, 60.000 young people (middle school students, high school students, students or members of training centers) are invited.

The event is enthusiastically supported by employers' organisations, including the head of Medef Patrick Martin who will be present, and the French government, with the aim of better meeting the needs of companies in professions under pressure.

"Path to success"

Such a competition, which highlights professional excellence and the diversity of professions, is an "opportunity for the orientation of our students, and to continue to promote vocational education", a real "path to success", believes the resigning Minister of Education Nicole Belloubet.

"It highlights the opportunities offered by a large number of essential professions," adds her colleague in charge of Labor, Catherine Vautrin.

According to Ms Belloubet, a middle school student "knows" only about ten professions, whereas to make an informed decision he would need to know about fifty.

Since 2017, the year Emmanuel Macron was elected, the number of apprentices has increased from 317.000 to 853.000, with the aim of reaching one million in 2027, recalls Ms. Vautrin.

At Eurexpo, young participants will have to demonstrate their technical abilities, both individual and collective, through a test within a limited time.

"Each profession obeys its own rules, competitors are observed by experts on both their technical skills and their interpersonal skills, their behavior, the way they manage their work space," explains Frank Le Roux.

The preparation was rigorous for these craft athletes. The French team, which has 63 competitors, had five weeks of training, a mix of technical preparation and interdisciplinary work to strengthen the mental, resistance to stress or teamwork when necessary. Three training courses were organized, including one at Insep, the National Institute of Sport.

The objective for France: to secure a place in the top 5, particularly against very strong Asian nations (China, main delegation, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan).

Beyond the competition, it is also an opportunity for participating countries to "compare their education and professional training systems in order to develop them", the organizers emphasize.

“You liked the Olympic Games, the Olympic Games, you will love WorldSkills,” predicts Catherine Vautrin.