The Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has revealed the 48-member squad that is set to represent India at the 2019 edition of the WorldSkills International Competition. Organized by a not-for-profit association, WorldSkills International, this biennial event is hailed as the most prominent demonstration of skill excellence worldwide. As per the schedule, the competition will take place in Kazan, Russia, from the 22nd to 27th of August 2019.
WorldSkills International: An Overview
WorldSkills International is a membership association that non-profit organizations or agencies join. These agencies are primarily responsible for promoting vocational education and training within their respective countries or regions. The association is registered in Amsterdam, Netherlands. It holds the WorldSkills International Competition every two years, which is often dubbed as the ‘Olympics for Skills’.
The WorldSkills International Competition
Considered the largest showcase of skills excellence globally, the WorldSkills International Competition will witness participation from over 1,500 competitors from 60 different nations. In this mega-event, competitors will lock horns in 55 various skill competitions. The Indian contingent will participate in 44 skills such as mobile robotics, prototype modeling, hairdressing, baking, confectionery and patisserie, welding, bricklaying, car painting, and floristry among others.
India’s Participation and Performance
The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), under the guidance of the MSDE, leads India’s delegation in this competition. The country has been part of this event since 2011. In the previous edition which took place in Abu Dhabi in 2017, India secured one silver, one bronze, and nine medallions of excellence. India’s place was 19th out of the 56 participating countries, which stands as India’s best performance to date.
India’s Performance at WorldSkills 2017:
| Awards | Number of Awards |
|---|---|
| Silver Medals | 1 |
| Bronze Medals | 1 |
| Medallions of Excellence | 9 |
Team India’s Aspirations for WorldSkills 2019
With one of the largest contingents this year, Team India aims to elevate their performance from the previous competition. This aspiration is fuelled by a strong desire to bring home more laurels and further enhance India’s position in the WorldSkills International Competition.
