Great anticipation for the World Cup in 15 countries
The staging of the “46. WorldSkills” was originally planned from October 12th to 17th in Shanghai/China, but had to be canceled at the end of May due to the month-long corona-related lockdown. On June 28, the member countries of “WorldSkills International” then united, the competitions distributed to 15 host countries. In addition to Austria, these will be Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Italy, Japan, Canada, Luxembourg, Sweden, Switzerland, South Korea, the USA and the United Kingdom. A total of around 1,200 participants from 57 countries will demonstrate their skills at the World Skills Championships.
Two people from Salzburg will also be taking part in the transnational “WorldSkills 2022”: Fashion technologist Lisa Lintschinger from the Moser tailor shop in Mariapfarr will travel to Helsinki/Finland for her competition, which will take place there from October 20th to 23rd. Heavy vehicle technician Kilian Wallner from Liebherr Österreich Vertriebs- und Service GmbH in Bischofshofen will be at the Salzburg Exhibition Center from November 23rd to 27th. The competitions are held here as part of the “BIM” job information fair.
Intensive preparation
“Of course we were initially disappointed that WorldSkills couldn’t take place in the Asian metropolis of Shanghai. But when we heard that the skills organization had agreed on a transnational world championship, we were very happy,” says Wallner. Because even a complete cancellation of the World Cup was in the room for a while. Wallner sees the advantage of Salzburg as a competition location, as his relatives and friends can cheer for him here. “Of course, they wouldn’t have come to Shanghai with us.” Even though he is currently doing his military service in the army, the training is not neglected. “I work a lot in the evenings and with my trainer also at the weekends,” says Wallner. The basics of hydraulics and control are deepened and the corresponding computer programs are practiced intensively.
Fashion technologist Lintschinger, who will be entering the competition in just under a month, also feels increasing tension. “I’m really looking forward to Finland and Helsinki. The journey is not quite as far as to Asia, but still a great adventure for me. She is also preparing intensively for the competition. “We got a new material list. The materials used would have been a lot different in Shanghai,” says the woman from Lungau. The competition project itself (note: parts of it will be announced in advance) has also been completely changed.
skills around the world
“The global Skills community has shown their unity and passion in finding a solution so quickly after the cancellation by Shanghai. ‘WorldSkills 2022’ will be a full-fledged world championship and will receive a lot of attention because it is held worldwide,” says Josef Herk, President of the SkillsAustria association and initiator of “EuroSkills 2021” in Graz: “I especially invite all young people to Coming to Salzburg on November to soak up the flair of the world championships, get to know the competitive professions and see the world’s best in action.”
“We look forward to putting our best foot forward in front of a global audience; as a host, as an education and training hotspot and as an ideal location for companies that pursue the highest standards. Above all, however, it is about making clear the great opportunities for specialist training and apprenticeships. WorldSkills are the perfect stage for this,” emphasizes WKS President Peter Buchmüller.
Seven WorldSkills competitions in Salzburg
From November 23 to 27, the Salzburg Exhibition Center will be the venue for a total of seven competitions in the “WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition Austria” world championships. Around 150 international participants, accompanied by their experts and teams, are expected from around 40 WorldSkills member countries.
The seven competitions within the “WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition Austria” are: plant electrics, concrete construction, chemical laboratory technology, electrical engineering, building construction, heavy vehicle technology and forwarding logistics. In addition to Kilian Wallner, seven other Austrians will start in Salzburg.