More than 400 young professionals from 19 countries across Europe have been celebrated at the international skills contest, EuroSkills, for their commitment and determination to achieve world-class standards of excellence in their jobs.

EuroSkills Graz 2021, organised by WorldSkills Europe, saw international teams of young competitors under the age of 25 come together at the SFZ Centre in Graz, Austria to participate in 38 different skill competitions – all for a chance to be recognised as the ‘Best in Europe’ in their individual skills.

Skills and trades featured at EuroSkills cover everything from web development to bakery; from joinery to floristry; and from fashion technology to mobile robotics.

“There’s a unique enthusiasm and excitement about this event that is hard to resist,” said Josef Herk, Chairman of EuroSkills Graz 2021.

“The incredible achievements of the young professionals leave us with an indescribable joy and sense of drama – like a combination of a ski slalom race and an ACDC rock concert,” added Herk.

All competitors at EuroSkills Graz were challenged by teams of experts to complete a test project or series of projects within strict time frames and over the course of three days. The projects demand complex technical knowledge and capabilities that the young people are learning and mastering through their studies and work-place training.

Landscape gardening competitors, for example, are tasked to construct an entire garden from scratch, using both hard and soft landscaping, selecting and planting trees, flowers, shrubs, and lawns, and creating water features, paths, and walls, using natural and sustainable materials.

The hard work of all competitors was celebrated at the EuroSkills Graz 2021 Closing Ceremony on Sunday 26 September at Stadthalle Graz, where awards including gold, silver, and bronze medals were presented to those who achieved the highest scores, as judged by a panel of industry experts in each skill.

The most coveted award – the Jos de Goey Best in Europe Award – was presented to gold medal winning Mobile Robotics duo Eldar Seidametov and Vladislav Diubanov from Russia.

“There is nothing more powerful than young people who are deeply invested in their skills, trades, professions, and their futures,” said Dita Traidas, President of WorldSkills Europe.

“Highly trained, skilled workers are the backbone of society and of our economy. The future belongs to young professionals all over Europe,” added Traidas.

EuroSkills Graz 2021 took place from 22–26 September 2021 in Graz, Austria. The event welcomed more than 25,000 visitors, including 10,000 students, who had the opportunity to try hands-on job-related skills across a huge range of “Try-a-Skill” activity stands.

The next EuroSkills Competition host nation is Russia, presenting EuroSkills St Petersburg 2023, scheduled for 16-20 August 2023.

To find out more about EuroSkills Competitions and WorldSkills Europe, please visit: worldskillseurope.org.

Images: Copyright EuroSkills2021, (Creative Commons, Attribution-NonCommericial-NoDerivs).