EuroSkills Gdańsk 2023: showcasing excellence, nurturing dreams and igniting passions

Step into a world where skills are not just honed but celebrated, where innovation is a way of life, and where young professionals shape the future. Serving as a centre-piece during the European Year of Skills, EuroSkills Gdańsk 2023, the eighth edition of the biggest vocational education and training (VET) and skills excellence event in Europe, took place from 5 to 9 September.  

This edition of EuroSkills was even more significant, as it was organised under the European Year of Skills, which runs from 9 May 2023 until 8 May 2024. In addition to the competition itself, the sixth International Congress on Education and Training will took place in the same premises on 7 September. This year, Nicolas Schmit, Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, participated in the International Congress and visited the competition grounds.

A Spectacle of Excellence

Imagine witnessing 600 skilled young professionals, all under 25, from 32 countries, showcasing their prowess across 43 different skills and trades. The skills were grouped into six industry sectors:

• Construction and Building Technology
• Creative Arts and Fashion
• Information and Communication Technology
• Manufacturing and Engineering Technology
• Transportation and Logistics
• Service Industry

This was not just a competition, it was a celebration of diversity, dedication, and determination.

Champions of Competence

The competitors at EuroSkills represent the best of their peers nationally and are selected to compete at EuroSkills after taking part in national competitions held in WorldSkills Europe Member countries. The competitors are challenged to complete a test project or series of projects within strict time frames over the course of three days. The projects demand complex technical knowledge and skills, which competitors are learning and mastering through their studies and work-place training.

A Journey Beyond Borders

Each of the 43 skills competitions at EuroSkills required a dedicated team of experts, workshop managers, and other volunteers. 500 experts, from industry and education sectors across Europe, were the pillars of this grand event, bringing their wisdom, experience, and passion to make it happen.

Empowering Future Generations

Tens of thousands of visitors watched the competition. However, EuroSkills was not just about watching, it allowed people to actively participate. The 'Try-a-Skill' demonstrations invited visitors to roll up their sleeves and try their hand at various job-related skills. For the visitors, this was more than an event, it was an inspiration – a chance to turn passions into professions and dreams into reality.

EuroSkills Gdańsk 2023 (ENG) - YouTube