In Belarus, there is a gradual increase in graduates' interest in choosing skilled trades. This was reported to a BELTA correspondent by the Minister of Education, Mikhail Zhuravkov, who took part in the grand opening of the II Republican Professional Skills Competition WorldSkills Belarus-2016 at the Minsk Sports Palace.
In Belarus, there is a gradual increase in graduates' interest in choosing skilled trades. This was reported to a BELTA correspondent by the Minister of Education, Mikhail Zhuravkov, who took part in the grand opening of the II Republican Professional Skills Competition WorldSkills Belarus-2016 at the Minsk Sports Palace.
"We are gradually observing an increase in the number of young people choosing vocational and technical institutions for admission. Specialists from over 20 countries have come to our competition as observers, and six foreign teams have declared their participation in the championship. Another interesting fact is that our young participants impressed the guests with their knowledge not only of their competencies but also of the English language. Of course, all this affects the country's image in the world-renowned and largest competition, the 'Olympics of Skilled Trades'," said the minister.
He is confident that over the two days of the competition at the Sports Palace, the participants will demonstrate the quality of the skills they have acquired. In Minsk, at the republican competition, over 280 young people from vocational and technical, secondary vocational, and higher education institutions, as well as young workers from enterprises, will showcase their skills in 33 competencies (professions) in the fields of industry and construction, the service sector and fashion technology, IT, and transport technologies.
As noted at the grand opening of the competition by the president of the international non-profit organisation WorldSkills International, Simon Bartley, "we want to demonstrate the advantages and necessity of qualified specialists through competitions, the organisation of joint projects, and the exchange of experience." He emphasised that vocational training and education are very important for young people, for the future of all countries.
WorldSkills International movement involves 76 countries, covering more than 70% of the world's population, including leading and actively developing countries such as Germany, France, China, South Korea, the USA, Canada, Brazil, and Russia. International WSC championships are held once every two years in one of the participating countries.
Competitions in some categories commenced today. The main group of professions will "compete" for the title of the best starting from the morning of May 18. Additionally, four so-called workshops will be set up in the Football Arena: visual merchandising and shop window design; baking of bakery products; cosmetology; and medical and sanitary assistance and social care.
Today, representatives of state bodies, ministries and departments, the Head of the European Union Delegation to Belarus, Andrea Wiktorin, heads of diplomatic missions, enterprises, organisations, and educational institutions participated in the opening ceremony at the Sports Palace.
WSI is a non-profit international organisation established in 1946 to enhance the prestige of vocational education, attract young people to the production sector of the economy, and popularise working professions and specialities.