Electrifying Opening Ceremony marks start of EuroSkills Gdańsk 2023

With a spectacular show of music, dance, and youthful energy, the 8th edition of the European Championship of Young Professionals was declared officially open in Gdańsk, Poland this evening (Tuesday, 5 September 2023).

The highlight of the EuroSkills Gdańsk 2023 Opening Ceremony was the Parade of Nations, which this year included 576 talented young professionals from 32 countries, who have gathered in Gdańsk to compete for the chance to become Best in Europe in 42 different skills and trades.

The Competitors and Team Leaders from all 32 countries each had their moment to shine on stage at the Polsat Plus Arena Gdańsk, where the audience of thousands rose in rapturous cheers and applause. Key dignitaries in attendance included Teija Ripattila, Chair of the Board of WorldSkills Europe, and Prof. Paweł Poszytek, WorldSkills Poland Official Delegate and General Director of the Foundation for the Development of the Education System (FRSE).

“Helping young people to develop their skills with the goal of achieving the world-class standard of professional excellence underpins everything we do at WorldSkills Europe – all because we believe that skills change worlds,” said Teija Ripattila, Chair of the Board, WorldSkills Europe, in her opening address.

“I wish each and every Competitor great success in your endeavours in the coming days and the important role you will play in sharing the empowering message of EuroSkills Gdańsk 2023. Regardless of whether you win a medal at the Competition, each and every one of you is already a champion. You have been on an incredible professional and personal development journey and have accomplished a tremendous amount already in the lead up to this moment. EuroSkills is your springboard to even greater professional success,” added Ripattila.

Prof. Paweł Poszytek, WorldSkills Poland Official Delegate and General Director of the Foundation for the Development of the Education System, said: “Looking at all of you – exceptionally talented youth who have overcome a challenging journey to come to Poland today and compete in EuroSkills Gdańsk – I feel pride, joy, and hope. I see in you the future leaders, change-makers, and innovators. I want you to remember that standing here today, you are not just competing; you are showcasing your skills, determination, and potential to the entire continent. The challenges that await you in the coming days are not just tests of skills; they are opportunities to push boundaries, grow, and form relationships that will last a lifetime. I wish you fantastic emotions, success, and beautiful, unforgettable moments."

What is EuroSkills?

Held every two years and organised by WorldSkills Europe together with 32 Member Countries, EuroSkills Competitions bring together hundreds of young people under the age of 25 to compete for the chance to become the Best in Europe in their chosen areas of professional expertise.

Competitors represent the best of their peers and are selected to compete at EuroSkills after taking part in national competitions held in their respective countries.

At EuroSkills, Competitors are challenged to complete a test project or series of tasks and projects within pressured timeframes and under strict codes of competitive practice over three days. The projects demand complex technical knowledge and capabilities that the Competitors are learning and mastering through their studies and workplace training.

A total of 572 WorldSkills Europe Experts from industry and education are accompanying the Competitors at EuroSkills Gdańsk 2023 this week. The Experts work with the Competitors for up to two years in advance of the Competition, providing additional training to ensure the young people have the skills and techniques needed to perform to a world-class level of excellence. The Experts are also responsible for creating the test projects, which are each designed according to the highest industry-specific occupational standards.

EuroSkills Gdańsk 2023 is open to the public and admission-free. Online registration is required. To register to attend, please visit: https://euroskills2023.org/register-now.

Visitors to the Competition will be able to witness the young professionals showcasing their skills as well as having the opportunity to try hands-on job-related skills at the 30 ‘Try-a-Skill’ demonstrations featured throughout the Competition halls.

Spectacular Opening Ceremony performances

The Opening Ceremony was hosted by Polish television presenters Ida Nowakowska and Tomasz Wolny, co-presenters on Poland’s popular magazine television show “Pytania na śniadanie” (Questions for Breakfast).

Entertainment performances at the Opening Ceremony included:

• Live Artistic Sand Painting by Tetiana Galitsyna
• Artistic Light Painting by Tony Dream
• Live DJ set with music producer, DJ Gromee, featuring Marta Galuszewska, singer and winner of The Voice of Poland
• Interactive fluorescent glow sticks performance.

Photos

All official photos from the Opening Ceremony are available to view and download on WorldSkills Europe’s SmugMug photo library.

The full livestream of the Opening Ceremony is available to watch on YouTube.

Let the games begin

EuroSkills Gdańsk 2023 begins tomorrow (Wednesday, 6 September 2023) at the AmberExpo Exhibition and Congress Centre. The Competition runs over three days, ending on Friday, 8 September.

The event will conclude with a Closing Ceremony at the Polsat Plus Arena on Saturday, 9 September, where awards including Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals will be presented to the highest scoring Competitors.

The most coveted accolade at EuroSkills is the Jos de Goey Best in Europe Award which is presented to the Competitor (or group of Competitors) who achieves the highest overall score out of all the hundreds of Competitors across all 42 skill competitions.

EuroSkills Gdańsk 2023 is organised in partnership by Poland’s Foundation For The Development Of The Education System (FRSE), WorldSkills Poland, WorldSkills Europe, the City of Gdańsk and AmberExpo Gdańsk.

EuroSkills in Poland

EuroSkills Gdańsk 2023 is the first EuroSkills to be hosted by Poland. Hosting the event is not only proof of Poland’s sustained commitment to keep technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and skills at the top of national and European agendas, but also a way to shine a spotlight on the outstanding achievements of the most talented young professionals, education institutions, and employers in Europe.

This edition of EuroSkills is even more significant as it takes place during the European Year of Skills 2023, the EU initiative which is putting skills centre-stage by bringing organisations and people together to share insights and to showcase skills development activities and opportunities across Europe.

EuroSkills Gdańsk 2023 is therefore also bringing together leaders from industry, education, and government to share best practices and learn about global trends and issues found in TVET, skills demand, skills of the future, as well as skills excellence and development. These themes will be discussed during the VI International Congress on Education and Training, which will take place on 7 September as part of EuroSkills Gdańsk 2023. The International Congress has the motto "Skills are the Future".