Thousands gathered at WorldSkills Lyon 2024 for an exciting first day of Competition 

Today, the city of Lyon officially emerged as a global skill hub, as our 1,400 WorldSkills Lyon 2024 Competitors started their Test Projects in the hope of becoming the world’s Champions in their skill. Thousands of visitors gathered at Eurexpo to watch these young talents from all over the world get started on four intense days of Competition, following last night’s Opening Ceremony where president Emmanuel Macron welcomed the world to France.  

This morning, the determined WorldSkills Lyon 2024 Competitors from nearly 70 countries jumped straight into their Tests Projects after collective cheering within their teams, showcasing their talents in 59 various skills ranging from Carpentry and Welding to Graphic Design Technology and Floristry. Excitement filled the air as the event kicked off in full swing, with thousands of visitors eager to witness the global talents unfold. This first day of Competition marks the beginning of an incredible experience for all Competitors and their teams, but also the culmination of years of perseverance and training to achieve the level of excellence required to participate in a WorldSkills Competition.  

Beyond the different competitions taking place across 140,000m2 at Eurexpo Lyon, the event also offers a range of interactive activities for everyone to enjoy. Among them are the “Try a Skill” zones, where visitors have the opportunity to test their own abilities in 50 different skills. These hands-on experiences allow people of all ages to explore and discover new talents, making WorldSkills Lyon 2024 not just a Competition, but a global celebration of excellence, skills and craftsmanship.  

Today also marked the beginning of the WorldSkills Conference 2024, a two-day event held in parallel of the WorldSkills Competition. This year’s theme “Moving TVET to the top of the global agenda” brings together governments, policymakers, industry leaders, education providers, and young professionals to discuss TVET systems and their evolution for a better future for all. A two-hour Opening Plenary was held this morning, and several discussions around major issues surrounding TVET took place during the day.  

With thousands in attendance and a vibrant atmosphere, the first day of Competiton at WorldSkills Lyon 2024 set the tone for a vibrant and entertaining event.  

Watch the video recap of this first day