The 2013 edition of the international WorldSkills competition, which was held recently at the renowned exhibi- tion centre in Leipzig, Germany, attracted over 1 000 competitors from 47 countries, including South Africa, who competed for top honours across 46 trade disciplines.

The equivalent of an ‘Olympic Games for trade skills’, the event is a magnet for technical and vocational experts from all over the world and is held every second year in a different host country. The competition is open to the very best young professionals who are up to 22 years of age.

The 42nd competition held in Leipzig was attended by over 200 000 visitors, 3 000 specialists and 1 000 journalists. It attracted entrants in the following categories: transportation and logistics; construction and building technology; manufacturing and engineering technology; information and communication technology; creative arts and fashion; and social and personal services.

Competitors are selected in their different home countries through a process of national competitions to battle it out for top honours on the international stage in the glare of the spotlights and the international media.

The pressure is immense as they embark on completing prescribed tasks over a three-day period and as visitors, who include senior government representatives, technical experts, journalists, school tour groups, parents and friends, jostle in to catch a glimpse of the competitors.

From a modest beginning, WorldSkills, which was started in Madrid by a Spaniard, Albert Vidal, with 24 competitors and two participating countries, has grown from strength to strength and come to symbolise the pinnacle of excellence in technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

The overarching objective of WorldSkills International is to support global economic competitiveness through excellence in skilled occupations. But it is far more than a competition that takes place every second year, as the experience gained by the competitors provides valuable feedback into the enterprises that employ them, as well as national training systems. While the medal winners receive public recognition for outstanding achievement, the other competitors gain the motivation and knowledge to aspire to higher standards of technical excellence and they all generally become ambassadors for WorldSkills.

This year, with the active support of the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority and the Services Sector Education and Training Auhtority, South Africa entered 16 competitors in different trade disciplines. While no gold, silver or bronze medals were won on this occasion, Scott Alison was awarded a Best of Nation award for South Africa in the automobile technology discipline and Nadine Aucamp, with an excellent score of 502 points, was awarded a medallion of excellence for beauty therapy.

South Korea was the top-scoring country at the competition as it shot the lights out once again as it did in London two years ago with 37 competitors, an average point score of 531.03 and a haul of 12 gold medals, 5 silver medals, 6 bronze medals and 14 medallions for excellence.

Switzerland also kept to tradition by following very closely on the heels of Korea with 37 competitors who won 9 gold medals, 3 silver medals, 5 bronze medals and 18 medallions for excellence.

The fact that South Africa entered the WorldSkills competition this year with 16 competitors is particularly opportune since the Department of Higher Education and Training has declared 2013 the Year of the Artisan.

The current national focus on artisan training has been accompanied by a slew of new and constructive developments at policy level designed both to increase the number of apprentices in training and to substantially increase the quality of training.

Team SA was supported at the competition by the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mduduzi Manana, and the director-general, Gwebinkundla Quonde.

Following the competition, Quonde indicated that the event highlighted the fact that TVET is a critical global issue, with all participating countries, including South Africa, currently reviewing their capa- city to compete in the global economy.

“The key importance of artisans and technicians in the intermediate skills sphere is in the national spotlight. It is important also for us to focus on the centrality of the role of industry in training apprentices and enhancing the quality of training so skills competitions have some key lessons for us that underscore the importance of effective TVET for our society as we battle the scourge of youth unemployment.”

For visitors to WorldSkills Leipzig, the international competition was also an important reminder that successful TVET systems worldwide are based on a firm foundation of common agreement between the social partners on the objectives and outcomes of such systems. It is critical to ensure that there is a committed linkage of interests aimed at ensuring high-quality vocational training that leads to the entry of skilled young people into meaningful employment.

Emphasis was also placed on the small and medium-size-enterprises sector, with a strong element of entrepreneurial training included in all trade training programmes. The aim is to ensure that skilled workers are equipped not only with solid technical abilities, but also with the skills required for starting their own businesses.

At one level, WorldSkills is a remarkable showcase of skills and trade excellence where the competitors compete in the furnace of international competition and the best of the best battle it out to win gold, silver and bronze medals.

At another level, it is an international showcase of positive attitudes to trade training and a skills respect culture where young people, technical experts, the media and international government representatives demonstrate their understanding and support for the critical role played by artisans and technicians in the 21st century both in industry and in the wider economy.

As the tears and cheers of Leipzig subside, preparations are under way for the next WorldSkills competition, which will be hosted in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 2015.