Discover the faces of WorldSkills Lyon 2024: Stéphanie Cervo et Jean-Philippe Fritz

Jean-Philippe Fritz is a Workshop Manager* in Floristry for WorldSkills Lyon 2024. He is supported in the organization of this skill competition by his Workshop Manager Assistant Stéphanie Cervo. This passionate duo answered our questions, sharing their enthusiasm and vision for the Competition, while emphasizing the importance of vocational training and creativity in the Floristry competition.  

Jean-Philippe Fritz has been in the floristry industry since 1975, working in his family’s business near Strasbourg. He began his career by obtaining his vocational training certificate (CAP) and then becoming Vice-Champion of France in a national Floral Art competition. He then went on to become Meilleur Ouvrier de France (a prestigious title awarded to the best French professionals in their skill), and complemented his career by teaching in a vocational training center, while collaborating with various academic bodies to create subjects for vocational diplomas (CAP, BP, BTM). He joined the WorldSkills movement over 30 years ago in 1993 as a jury for the Grand-Est regional competition, before becoming a National Expert in 2012, traveling to four countries for competitions, including in São Paulo, Abu Dhabi, Kazan and Finland. At the end of 2022, Jean-Philippe stepped down from his role as Expert to become Workshop Manager for WorldSkills Lyon 2024.   

As for Stéphanie Cervo, she began her career by obtaining a vocational training certificate (CAP) in floristry. She then worked as a self-employed business owner for around twenty years, until 2015. In 2007, she set up a florist course at a vocational school in Poitiers. Today, she is a full-time teacher at different vocational courses levels. She joined the WorldSkills movement in 2016 as a member of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine regional jury. In 2017, she became a Workshop Manager at the National Finals in Bordeaux, where she met Jean-Philippe. She was then appointed regional president of Nouvelle-Aquitaine. In March 2023, after having coached the Abilympics team, she became international deputy chief for the competitions. Since October, she has been a National Expert for WorldSkills France and also holds the position of Workshop Manager Assistant for WorldSkills Lyon 2024.  

“The WorldSkills Competition is an immense sense of fraternity between the youth and different peoples, and this blend of cultures and know-how!”   

Jean-Philippe Fritz

Stéphanie and Jean-Philippe shared their thoughts and ideas with us:     

 On vocational training:   

For Stéphanie, “vocational training is essential”. She emphasizes the importance of quality vocational training courses such as those designed by skilled professionals to meet the real needs of the profession, and she encourages young people to continue their professional development. Jean-Philippe, similarly, compares vocational training to “building a house”, emphasizing the importance of giving young people a solid foundation with vocational training certificates where companies and schools must complement each other, and stressing the vital role of business leaders in passing on their skills to apprentices.  

On the importance of the WorldSkills movement and skills competitions:    

According to Jean-Philippe, “the WorldSkills Competition is the most beautiful catalog of skills”. He sees WorldSkills as an immense force that inspires young people and leads them towards valued manual skills, while simultaneously helping parents to provide better guidance for their children. For Stéphanie, “the concept and level of excellence of the WorldSkills Competition are extraordinary”. She emphasizes that this competition, which is open to all young people regardless of their level of education, offers them exceptional experiences, challenges, and a rich variety of human encounters, concluding that “the WorldSkills Competition is magical and is an opening in the professional lives of these young people”.  

WorldSkills Lyon 2024 is drawing near, and Stéphanie, Jean-Philippe and the entire Organizing Committee are working hard to guarantee an inspiring event, where every Competitor will have the opportunity to shine and exchange experience in a unique setting. We look forward to seeing you at the Competition, and to celebrating with you this opening to the professional future of all these young talents. 

*Supported by their Assistants, Workshop Managers are qualified and experienced people in their skill who are responsible for workshop installations, preparation of materials, workshop security, Health, Safety, Environment, general tidiness and neatness of the workshop area – during a competition.