WorldSkills is the highlight of the international skills calendar, the biennial event bringing together member countries from across the world to pit the skills of their young people against the best the world has to offer. An exciting and engaging spectacle, the competition is open to visitors who are able to get a close up view of competitors as they battle it out against the clock and those difficulties that are commonly experienced in the workplace. In effect it provides a platform and focal point for nations in dealing with their skills issues.

More specifically the WorldSkills competition has the following direct benefits For the UK:

• Move from competence to excellence
  There is a growing sense that we need to raise our standards and aspirations. WorldSkills has the potential to take us beyond the demonstration of competence in vocational education and to create a passion for excellence.
• Reduce skills gaps
  The excitement and achievements of WorldSkills competitors has the potential to capture the attention of the nation, to provide the motivation young people need to consider vocational education and to set their aims higher. Plus it will help to transform our national attitudes towards skills, to tackle skills gaps and shortages, and to raise our low productivity levels.
• Minimise skills shortages
  Many young people are opting to go into what they consider to be more stimulating professions, WorldSkills has the potential to once again get them excited about vocational training and to entice them back into traditional skills - areas where we have skills shortages.
• Re-engage the disaffected
  Exposure to the achievements of WorldSkills competitors will we hope provide the inspiration this group and their parents need to make them believe that they are important and have what it takes to be successful, to stay on in learning and acquire vocational skills - to take the opportunity to develop their full potential.