Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 2 October (BelTA) – The WorldSkills Competition gives an impetus to the development of vocational education in Belarus, Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Vasily Zharko told the media as he met with the Belarusian team partaking in the 44th WorldSkills Competition in Abu Dhabi on 30 September, BelTA has learned.

“Participation in this competition does not only enhance the country’s image but also helps it study new approaches to the organization of vocational training. In general, this is an impetus to the development of vocational education in the country. The economy is growing. It requires new skilled workers able to work with high-technology equipment,” Vasily Zharko noted.

On 30 September, Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Vasily Zharko, Education Minister Igor Karpenko, and Deputy Chairman of the Minsk City Hall Igor Yurkevich met in Minsk with the Belarusian team taking part in the 44th international WorldSkills Competition due to be held in Abu Dhabi from 14 to 19 October.

The national team WorldSkills Belarus will comprise 29 members – students of vocational education institutions and universities, and also young skilled workers from across Belarus. They are set to take part in 27 skill competitions, including Construction and Building Technology (stonemasonry, carpentry, cabinetmaking), ICT (software solutions for business, web design), and Manufacturing and Engineering Technology (welding, CNC milling, electronics). The Belarusians will also participate in beauty therapy, cooking, and hairdressing contests.

Young people from 77 member countries and regions will come to Abu Dhabi to compete in 51 skill competitions. WorldSkills is the biggest vocational education and skills excellence event in the world, a sort of Olympics for aspiring workers and specialists. The international WorldSkills Competition is held every two years. Taking part in the event are young skilled workers, students of universities, lyceums, and vocational education institutions aged up to 22. The WorldSkills movement is meant to promote blue-collar jobs in the modern society and increase their popularity among young people.