Worldskills 2024: After Olympic, Paraolympic games, Team India in France to compete in international skilling competition

Team India landed in Lyon, France, on Saturday, September 7, to participate in the 47th edition of the WorldSkills competition, scheduled from September 10 to September 15.

The 60-member Team India contingent is the country’s largest ever for the competition which will compete in 52 skills. 

As the world’s largest skilling competition, the event is set to see the participation of 1,400 competitors along with 1,300 experts. 

The country’s participation in this global event is aligned with government’s focus to make the nation a global hub for skilled talent, according to an official statement. 

With preparations underway on Saturday, experts from various skills fully engaged in setting up workstations, finalising tools and equipment, and aligning technical specifications to ensure a fair and standardised competition environment.

Each skill category saw experts conducting detailed checks on safety protocols, competition tasks, and assessment criteria, ensuring everything was in place for smooth execution. 

This phase was critical for guaranteeing that participants from across the globe compete on a level playing field, adhering to WorldSkills' high standards of excellence and integrity.

These skilled individuals will compete across 52 skill categories for India against the best from over 70 countries. 

This grand event, often touted as the Olympic Games of skilling, is expected to be attended by more than 2.5 lakh people.

“This year's team also represents a breakthrough moment, with women competing in traditionally male-dominated fields like Welding, Plumbing, and Heating. The team reflects the incredible diversity of India, with participants from every region, including the farthest corners—from Mizoram to Jammu and Kashmir, from North to South, East to West, and even the island territories of Andaman and Nicobar,” said the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

The India contingent undertook the last leg of training which included yoga sessions, psychological tests to improve mental strength, nutritional advice and various other guidance in New Delhi between September 1-3, 2024.