WorldSkills competition comes to Abu Dhabi

12 May 2016

The Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ACTVET) and WorldSkills International today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in advance of WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017. The agreement creates a mutually agreed framework for WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017, which will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017 is the world's largest vocational skills competition and will be hosted at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) in October 2017. More than 1,200 young people from 60 countries and regions will compete to be recognized as the world's best in around 50 different vocational skills.

The MoU was signed by H.E. Mubarak Saeed Al Shamsi, Director General of ACTVET and Mr Simon Bartley, President of WorldSkills in a ceremony on the final day of the 2016 EmiratesSkills National Competition in Abu Dhabi.

Commenting on the agreement, Mr Al Shamsi said “We are proud to welcome the world’s greatest skills excellence competition to the Middle East for the first time. WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017 represents our strong commitment to vocational and technological education and training for the young people of today, so that they can play their part in building a thriving and diverse economy for the generations of tomorrow.”

WorldSkills, which was formed in 1950, is a global organization that promotes vocational, technological and service oriented education and training in 76 Member countries and regions. WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017 will be the first global competition held in the Middle East.

“Bringing the 44th WorldSkills Competition to the Middle East marks a clear recognition that the growth of the regional economy is tied to investment in vocational, technological, and service oriented education,” said Simon Bartley, President of WorldSkills. “We are proud to partner with ACTVET and EmiratesSkills to welcome the WorldSkills community to the Emirates for a global exchange of ideas on skills excellence and development.”

“The hosting and legacy of WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017 is very important for the future ambitions of Abu Dhabi and the UAE. Along with ACTVET, EmiratesSkills, and WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017 we are committed to strong partnership to realize a successful event and legacy,” said David Hoey, CEO of WorldSkills International. “Through the event a local, regional, and global movement will expand as we join forces to improve the world with the power of skills.”

The 44th WorldSkills Competition will take place 14-19 October 2017. The event will be a landmark for the United Arab Emirates and will boost awareness of training and educational opportunities for UAE nationals in the vocational sector. The competition is expected to attract around 10,000 overseas visitors and many tens of thousands of local spectators. It will be the largest and most complex event ever held at ADNEC.