One School One Country from 2007 to 2024: an essential part of the WorldSkills Competition  

Since its inception at WorldSkills Shizuoka 2007, the One School One Country (OSOC) programme has been a key element of each edition of the WorldSkills Competition. While the first edition brought together 39 schools and 47 delegations in Japan, OSOC at WorldSkills Lyon 2024 will feature 52 participating schools and 69 delegations.  

Since its first edition in 2007, the OSOC programme has continued to grow, bringing together an increasing number of students and schools. In 2009, 55 schools were invited to meet 46 delegations at WorldSkills Calgary 2009 in Canada. At the latest edition of the programme, held in Kazan, Russia, 6,500 students from 58 schools had the opportunity to meet the 63 delegations taking part in the Competition.  

One School One Country is often one of the last moments of relaxation for Competitors before the start of the Competition the following day. This much-appreciated morning is a moving and enriching moment of exchange, both for the students and the delegations. Shweta Ratanpura, member of the WorldSkills Champions Trust and Indian Competitor in Graphic Design Technology at WorldSkills Kazan 2019, shares a memory of her participation at OSOC: “The Indian Competitors had set up a dance for students at the school, we wanted to throw them a surprise. Back in our home country, before leaving for the Competition, we choreographed, practiced, and put this thing together. It was a very funny experience.”  

The various editions of the OSOC programme help to spread the values of the WorldSkills movement, such as interculturality and excellence in vocational training. Yousra Assali, member of the WorldSkills Champions Trust and Moroccan Competitor in Electronics at WorldSkills Kazan 2009, explains: “OSOC is a remarkable memory in my life, it was the first time I discovered the culture of the host country and part of their lifestyle. It was my first experience sharing my culture and introducing my country in an international setting to young students.” 

The OSOC day is an opportunity for schools to showcase their country’s culture, together with that of the host delegation, which results in special moments for the Competitors, as Mihle Mvelakubi, another member of the WorldSkills Champions Trust and a South African Competitor in Bricklaying at WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017 testifies: “The welcome we received from the school and the way they performed our national anthem were amazing. After the national anthem, they started shouting with great joy: ‘South Africa! South Africa!’ It was a great moment that I will never forget.” 

One School One Country is a true blend of joy and emotion, offering a unique experience at the heart of the WorldSkills Competition. We look forward to bringing you this 8th edition of the programme at WorldSkills Lyon 2024!