The WorldSkills Competition, hailed the “Skill Olympics”, will be hosted in Kazan, Russia in August 2019. Some 20 Hong Kong competitors will compete with young peers worldwide in a variety of skills. The Flag Presentation Ceremony for the Hong Kong Delegation to the WorldSkills Kazan 2019 was held on 15 July (Monday). The Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin YEUNG, and Consul General of the Russian Federation in the Hong Kong and Macao, Mr Alexander V. KOZLOV officiated at the ceremony and wish Hong Kong Team the best of luck in the competition.

Officiating at the ceremony, Mr YEUNG said, “Organising skills competitions is an effective means to let young people and public learn about the essence and benefit of vocational and professional education and training. The Government’s support for Hong Kong’s participation highlights our commitment to promoting the important of skills, which lies at the core of vocational and professional education and training.”

The biennial WorldSkills Competition is the world’s largest skills competition which aims at raising awareness of vocational and professional education and training and skills training in the international community. Into its 45th edition, the competition to be held between 22 and 27 August this year has attracted over 1,000 young talents from more than 60 countries and regions to compete in 56 skill areas.

Hong Kong competitors, who are busy preparing for the competition at the moment, will represent Hong Kong in 22 skills this year.  Among the 22 skills, 6 of them (Car Painting, Electrical Installations, Mechanical Engineering CAD, Mechatronics, Mobile Robotics, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning) are from the IVE Engineering (Please refer to Annex 1 for details.).

The WorldSkills Competition is closely attuned to developing changes in industry. The Mechanical Engineering CAD newly adopts the use of 3D scanning and printing in the competition. Competitors have to nimbly deploy a 3D scanner and printer, all sorts of computer drawing software and mechanical engineering devices to produce a 3D model as required. IVE graduate of Higher Diploma in Mechanical Engineering CHAN Ting-fung is busy preparing for the competition. “I have had group training in the Mainland in recent months. Through the exchanges with contestants from the Mainland, the UK, Japan and Russia there, I found my skill level considerably enhanced. I do hope to make a mark in the WorldSkills Competition. I aspire to be an industrial mechanical engineer in the future and be able to contribute to re-industrialisation in Hong Kong.

Competitors of Team Hong Kong are winners of the WorldSkills Hong Kong Competition jointly organised by the VTC, the Construction Industry Council (CIC) and the Clothing Industry Training Authority (CITA). Since first joining in 1997, the Hong Kong Team has won two Golds, one Silver, five Bronze and 46 Medallions for Excellence, testimony to the world-recognised skill level of Hong Kong competitors.

Annex 1
WorldSkills Kazan 2019
22 - 27 August 2019
Hong Kong Team Participating Trades