The countdown begins: 100 days to WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017

6 July 2017

Just 100 days to go before Abu Dhabi hosts the largest and most prestigious global vocational skills competition - WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017.

The 44th edition of the globally renowned event will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and organised by Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ACTVET). The event will take place at ADNEC from 15-18 October – for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa region.

In one of the largest and most complex events ever to be hosted in the capital, approximately 1,300 Competitors from more than 70 countries will compete in 51 skills ranging from Floristry to Jewelry to Mobile Robotics to Welding.

More than 30 Emirati competitors will participate this year in more than 30 skills. Thousands of students from across the Emirates will watch the action at first hand. WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017 is expected to shape the country’s education sector, as well as spur interest in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) oriented careers.

To mark the 100-day milestone, the event organizers and Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ACTVET) unveiled a totem display in Yas Mall in the shape of the number ‘100’.

In addition to the totem display, live demonstrations of some of the skills categories were being held, with calligrapher Ali Kashwani and florist Eissa Al Marzouqi performing their trades alongside the installation. Ali Kashwani and Eissa Al Marzouqi are members of the UAE team taking part in WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017, and both were gold medalists at the EmiratesSkills National Competition 2017. Shoppers were given a taste of the skills on show, with many sitting down to be drawn live and to have a go at the artwork themselves.

Ali Al Marzouqi President of EmiratesSkills said: “Reaching the milestone of 100 days to go is a hugely significant occasion for ACTVET and for the UAE as a whole. We can now count down the days until Abu Dhabi hosts some of the world’s most talented and highly skilled young people.

Fahar AlSuwaidi, Head of Marketing, Communications and PR, for WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017 said: “The impact of WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017 as a contributing factor in the diversification of the UAE economy will be widespread and truly long term. Thousands of young people will be inspired to take up a technical and vocational educational path that allows their skills to flourish and opens the door to prestigious career options.”

Simon Bartley, President of WorldSkills, said: “The hosting of WorldSkills in Abu Dhabi is exciting for the country, the region and for WorldSkills. The focus on promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as economic diversification that will encourage the development of new industries, provides the perfect backdrop for the greatest gathering of skilled young people anywhere in the world. We can’t wait for the Competition to begin.”

WorldSkills is the global hub for vocational skills. Every two years, it hosts a world skills championship, where the world’s best talents compete inspiring thousands of young people to take up vocational careers across six main vocational sectors for medals in their chosen skill.

Abu Dhabi is preparing for an era beyond oil and its leadership has recognised that vocational education and training will be vital in the future. As part of the economic reforms in the UAE, new sectors are flourishing which range from green technologies to aerospace.

WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017 is a unique opportunity for the UAE to benchmark its vocational education and training systems, as well as raise standards in traditional trades and multi-skilled technology careers in industry and services sectors.

The event includes a world-class conference, at which Ministers, policy makers and academics will discuss developments in vocational education. A Ministerial Summit will be held in Abu Dhabi and attended by ministers of education, industry and business of most countries.

WorldSkills Competitions have taken place around the world – from South America to Europe, Asia, Australasia and now the Middle East. From handicrafts to multi-skilled careers in the industry and technology sectors, WorldSkills has showcased skills to millions of young people during its nearly 70-year history.

The event is open to the public free of charge at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from 15 – 18 October, with invitation-only Opening and Closing Ceremonies at du Arena on 14 October and 19 October.

For more details, email: press@worldskillsabudhabi2017.com