On 11 to 12 September 2024, WorldSkills Conference will take place in Lyon, France. It will be the largest skills summit on European soil since 2019 and is unlikely to be hosted in Europe again until 2030. While the location is European, the conversation will be global.
Laurence Gates, WorldSkills Board member and Chair of the Conference Coalition, says, “WorldSkills Conference 2024 may be on European soil, but there is no doubt that the discussions happening there will impact the whole world. It promises to be a truly global dialogue on how we can collaborate, learn from each other, and evolve our models. That is the only way we will get better and stronger.”
Under the theme “Moving TVET to the top of the global agenda,” the WorldSkills Conference offers attendees many ways to share knowledge and compare innovative solutions with other countries, so they can better tackle their varied skills development challenges. Every delegate will benefit from attending, regardless of their country or region or their stage in the skills development journey.
The remarkable line-up of speakers comes from all over the world, and represent a diverse range of experiences and expertise. These international thought leaders will spearhead sessions on critical topics such as “Displacement, climate change, and conflict: skills initiatives for fragile economies“ and “Breaking stereotypes: building gender equity in skills”, facilitating a rich exchange of ideas and best practices.
WorldSkills Conference 2024 will also use its European location to capitalize on the continent’s recent advancements in skills development. The European Commission, a member of the Conference Coalition and the organization that led the recent European Year of Skills, has made notable progress in attracting young people to skills-based careers to address skill shortages in Europe.
Laurence says, “While we are in Europe, we want to ensure our European colleagues have a chance to add their insights and learnings to the global conversation. But we also know that our European Members and partners will have just as much to learn from Members and delegates in emerging economies within Africa and the Americas.”
She continues, “We want WorldSkills Conference 2024 to spark discussions that are relevant to everyone, as we all collectively seek to harness global opportunities for skills development. That is why we encourage all Members to view the Conference as an opportunity to hone in on the themes, speakers, and topics that resonate most with them, and their unique place in the global TVET landscape.”
Looking to the legacy of WorldSkills Conference 2024, Laurence says, “This international conference has the potential to shape the global skills agenda for years to come, influencing policy decisions and investments in TVET. As we continue adapting to new challenges, from the rise of artificial intelligence to labour shortages, and the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is now more important than ever to prioritize skills development and recognize it as a key driver of economic growth, social progress, and individual fulfillment. Global conversations like this are essential to making that happen.”
Space is limited for WorldSkills Conference 2024. Register for priority access and find out more about the session topics and programme.