WorldSkills Leipzig 2013 offered a full and varied programme – from the individual Competitions to hands-on activities and information about the topic of education, advanced education, and career orientation, to a comprehensive Conference Program with numerous seminars, lectures, and panel discussions.
You can find further information on the Conference Program of WorldSkills Leipzig 2013 here.
The Competitions
In some Skills, the Competitors received tasks they had to achieve and solve over the whole duration of the WorldSkills Competition. In other Skills, the Competitors received a different daily task. Visitors could see the individual Competitions’ results on a daily basis or at the end of the Competitions.
2nd July 2013
Opening Ceremony
The Opening Ceremony on 2nd July, 2013, was the spectacular prelude to the 42nd WorldSkills Competitions in Leipzig. Before the young talents from 52 countries and regions were able to compete against each other from 3rd thru 6th July, 2013, they were welcomed in the Samsung Arena of Leipziger Messe.
In a breath-taking production with strong, emotional images, Federal Chancellor Dr Angela Merkel greeted and congratulated the participants in a video message: “To be part of WorldSkills alone is a distinction in itself. The key to a promising vocational career is good education. Qualified junior employees are worth their weight in gold for any company.“ Dr Theodor Niehaus, President of WorldSkills Leipzig 2013, brought the core of the event to the point: “We don’t talk about education, we act.” Simon Bartley, President of WorldSkills International, was deeply impressed by the Competition’s dimensions: “You are part of the greatest WorldSkills Competition ever. Each of you is already a champion. I congratulate you on what you have already achieved and will achieve yet.”
Prof Dr Johanna Wanka, Federal Minister for Education and Research, also pointed out in her speech, that every nation’s basis is the education of youth: “Prosperity crucially depends on how people work and how they are educated.”
Sven Morlok, Deputy Prime Minister of the Free State of Saxony and State Minister for Economy, Employment and Transport, emphasized the Saxon tradition of trades and service industries and hoped that each participant would take a part of Saxony home in their hearts. The evening event was framed amongst others by a performance of the world-famous Thomanerchor and an acrobatic dance appearance of the “Flying Steps”. In a colourful Parade of the Nations, the participating teams entered in to the cheers of the international audience; in the end, the participants vowed fairness and sportsmanship in a solemn oath. This Opening Ceremony caused enthusiasm: for WorldSkills, for the host Germany, and for Leipzig.
3rd to 6th JulY 2013
On the Competitions Days, visitors could experience the Competitors of WorldSkills Leipzig 2013 up close in all 46 Skills. The Worlds of Discovery offered comprehensive information about the topic of education and advanced education. In addition, there were exciting hands-on activities waiting for the audience.
On Saturday, Competition Day 4, the countdown was up! On this day the Competitors only hat a few hours left for the last handholds. Beginning at 11 a.m. the time was up with more and more Skills and the final whistle was blown.
The audience experienced exciting moments when the landscapers placed the final stone, the tilers wiped over the tile panel once more, the carpenters hammered in the last nail, the electronic technicians soldered the final wire, or the auto painters applied the final colour coat. And above all: when tension dropped off all participants’ shoulders.
7th July 2013
Closing Ceremony
On 7th July, 2013, WorldSkills Leipzig 2013 ended with an official Closing Ceremony and an awards ceremony. The Closing Ceremony focused on the winners’ great achievements! The stage turned into an overdimensional winners‘ rostrum on which the medals were awarded.
Apart from top-class medal sponsors such as the Federal Minister for Education and Research, Prof Dr Johanna Wanka, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Free State of Saxony and State Minister for Economy, Employment and Transport, Sven Morlok, and the Lord Mayor of the City of Leipzig, Burkhard Jung, the stunning Parcours artists Lazy Basics, the Electric Boogaloo Dancer Poppin Hood, the Berlin Dance Crew Team Recycled and British beatboxer and flutist Nathan Flutebox Lee provided entertainment worthy of champions. The event’s dazzling ending was the ceremonial handing-over of the baton to the host of the up-coming WorldSkills Competition: São Paolo 2015!
