South African Team Heads To France For 47th Worldskills International Competition

South African team flew to France to represent the country at the 47th WorldSkills International Competition in Lyon this week.

The competition, which provides a chance to share skills, experiences and new technologies, is supported by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).

The department said the 47th WorldSkills International Competition will take place from Sept. 10 to 15, featuring over 1,500 competitors from 65 countries. They will compete in 61 different skills.

The skills will be divided into six areas: construction and building technology, social and personal services, creative arts and fashion, information and communication technology, manufacturing and engineering technology, and transportation and logistics.

The department noted that these competitions provide massive benefits and opportunities for all participants including those from South Africa. The event will also raise awareness about apprenticeships and vocational skills, improve vocational education and training and promote artisanal skills.

The initiative is aligned with the Department of Higher Education and Training's "Decade of the Artisan" program, which addresses the shortage of skilled workers in the country.

The WorldSkills Competition aims to encourage young people, including high school students and college students, to pursue careers in craftsmanship to help reduce the skills gap in South Africa.

According to the DHET, the South African competitors come from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, technical high schools, universities of technology, and private training colleges.

"It is about more than just winning and taking the prize home. WorldSkills competitions in general, including the WorldSkills International Competition, create opportunities for learners to become the very best version of themselves possible," the department said, SA News reported.

It added, "They offer life changing pathway and opportunities that involve additional study and work experience. The WorldSkills South Africa (WSZA) program plays a critical role in building bridges between all stakeholders within the apprenticeship and artisan development arena."

WSZA aims to help young people improve their skills through WorldSkills South Africa events. It focuses on developing networking and communication skills by learning from industry experts and comparing their skills with other competitors in the industry.

Aside from the WorldSkills International Competition, South Africa is also improving its relations with other countries to build a strong society. Earlier this week, Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong emphasized on improving the relationship between Nigeria and South Africa.