Competitions tough but fun, say contestants

The distraction from a noisy milling crowd inside the exhibition halls had no impact on Lionel Dias, a 22-year old from Portugal. One of the hundreds of participants at Abu Dhabi WorldSkills 2017, Dias is all set to test his abilities in the world's largest skill competition hosted by Abu Dhabi.

"I am interested in cars and wants to open my own workshop some day. That is why I am participating in the car painting skills competition," Dias told Khaleej Times after finishing his two competition modules lasting four hours.

Delegates from various countries parade during the opening ceremony of WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017 held at Du Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

"I had to complete two tasks today, each lasting two hours. One is to spot repair the front fender, and other is to mask half a car. If you do it too slow, you will run out of time. Also, you cannot be too fast and make errors. So, the trick is to balance both," said Dias.

A few metres away, in another competition area, fresh smell of baked bread filled the air. It is the bakery section, and aspiring young chefs are baking the French bread Focassia. Young participants from China, Germany, France, Australia and many more are putting out their best culinary skills to compete the task at hand. In the next section, a competition on Patisserie and Confectionary just got over and a panel of judges are moving around, examining the results and giving their verdict on the desserts and starters prepared and laid out artistically.

Avin Thaliath, an expert was supervising the competition for making Focaccia bread. "This competition is held in two shifts. The first one started at 9.30 in the morning and ended at 2.30pm lasting five hours. Second shift starts at 3pm and goes up to another five hours," said Thaliath.

A total of 1,259 competitors from 77 different countries will be competing in 51 different skill competitions at the WorldSkills Abu Dhabi that is being held from October 15 to 18.
Wonderful experience

The mood was upbeat on the first day of the competition Johanna Hansson, 22, from Sweden who is competing in Visual Merchandising said it was tough but fun.

"I am competing against the world's best talents. So, it is definitely tough. But it is really fun too."

Hansson had to design a window display for the brand Juicy Couture with a holiday theme. "I have given my best. Tomorrow we will be getting a new task but we don't know what that is."

Karishma Gupta from India, who wants to build a career in the beauty and wellness industry competed in the beauty therapy skill. She called her first day at WorldSkills a wonderful experience. "I just finished my first module where we were 29 competitors and who were given various tasks like waxing, facial and pedicure. It is a unique and challenging experience to work when there is so much crowd around you, but we have to just focus on our job."

The winners in 51 different skill sets will be announced at the end of the WorldSkills event on October 18. The competitions being held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre is open to the public from Sunday.
Know the winner

The winners in 51 different skill sets will be announced at the end of the WorldSkills event on October 18. The competitions being held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre is open to the public from Sunday.
Endless opportunities for Emiratis who have skills

David Hoey, WorldSkills CEO, told Khaleej Times the competition will help create endless opportunities for young Emirati students, who are still unsure of what career they want to step into.

"One of the first things is to understand what these skills are and how they provide young generation with career opportunities," Hoey said, adding that it's myth that university degrees get one a successful career.

He said: "For years, we have this attitude in many countries that unless you go to university, you fail. Whereas what we believe strongly is a skill-based career in trades and technologies for young people. This is where parents, educators, career advisors and policy makers need to focus on.

"Having careers in vocational skills is a great opportunity for young people and it can be a stepping stone to an amazing future."

The WorldSkills CEO stressed that the education sector has to keep time with the industry side, because "that's where the demand arises".

He said he hopes to see more parents support the passion and skills that are imbedded in their children.

"People who have these skill sets are in high demand around the world, he added."
Thousands cheer from the gallery

WorldSkills, the championship of vocational skills that is being hosted for the first time in the Gulf region, kicked off with a glittering ceremony at du Arena on Saturday. However, the competitions began on Sunday.  The atmosphere resembled a sporting extravaganza as teams marched out with national flags in hand with thousands cheering from the gallery.

Teams like Colombia, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea had legions of people rooting for them. In true spirit of the competition, a lone competitor from Mexico was cheered and encouraged by one and all.

Team New Zealand performed their intimidating haka dance. The biggest ovation, however, was reserved for the UAE contingent, the hosts.

Mubarak Saeed Al Shamsi, director-general of Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, said: "This is being held for the first time in Mena region. This is an important moment for the UAE."

Source: Khaleej Times