Lyon (France): A 60-member young contingent of the WorldSkills India Team landed here today to compete in the largest international skilling competition – the 47th edition of the biannual WorldSkills 2024.
WorldSkills, hand in hand with the United Nations and UNICEF aims to highlight the power of skills. The competition will run from September 10-15, 2024, at Euroexpo Lyon, and will witness 1,400 competitors along with 1,300 experts. This grand event, often considered the Olympic Games of skilling, is expected to attract over 2.5 lakh participants.
This is India’s largest contingent for the WorldSkills2024 competition since the country started participating in the WorldSkills Competition. These skilled individuals will compete across 52 skill categories for India against the best from over 70 countries. Over 52 WorldSkills experts and training support from 100+ industry and academic partners have been involved in training and preparing the India Contingent, one of the largest groups representing their country at WorldSkills Lyon. The competitors underwent rigorous training programs supported by leading companies like Toyota Kirloskar, Maruti, Lincoln Electric, and many others, with further training enriched by the expertise of various industry leaders and institutions from across the country—from Festo India in Industry 4.0 to NIFT Delhi in Fashion Technology, and L&T in Bricklaying and Concrete Construction.
This year’s team also represents a breakthrough moment, with women competing in traditionally male-dominated fields like Welding, Plumbing, and Heating. The team reflects the incredible diversity of India, with participants from every region, including the farthest corners—from Mizoram to Jammu and Kashmir, from North to South, East to West, and even the island territories of Andaman and Nicobar.
The India contingent undertook the last leg of training which included yoga sessions, psychological tests to improve mental strength, nutritional advice and various other guidance in New Delhi between September 1-3, 2024.
The WorldSkills Competition showcases excellence in skills across various sectors, including construction, manufacturing, information technology, and creative arts. Competitors, typically under the age of 23, engage in rigorous testing, completing tasks that reflect contemporary industry standards. For the first time, international trainers were invited to the country and competitors were also sent to countries like South Korea, Japan, Austria, Thailand, and Dubai, with Switzerland for international exposure and rigorous training.
Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Minister of State, Ministry of Education, Government of India, will be visiting the International Competition to cheer for Team India. During his visit, he will also meet with representatives from partner countries to further the dialogue on skills at a global level.
At WorldSkills 2024 in Lyon, the Competition Committee Delegates (CCDs) play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of the event by meticulously cross-checking rules and resolving any potential issues or disputes. These delegates are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the competition by overseeing that all regulations are adhered to, managing conflicts, and addressing any discrepancies that arise during the competition process. India, acting as the CCD for Turning and Milling, took on a pivotal role in these precision-based skill categories. The Indian delegation ensured that all technical aspects related to Turning and Milling, such as machine calibration, tool setups, and task alignment, were conducted according to the WorldSkills standards.
– global bihari bureau
