SkillsUSA | Advisor Guide 133 Every two years, hundreds of young skilled people, accompanied by their teachers and trainers, gather from around the world to compete before the public in their various skills and test themselves against demanding international standards. They represent the best of their peers drawn from regional and national skill competitions held in many of WSI’s member countries/regions. The experience and results of all the competitions provide valuable feedback both to the individuals and the systems and enterprises in which they are being trained. For some it is recognition for outstanding achievement, while for others it provides the motivation and knowledge to aspire to higher standards. For the onlookers it is a revealing experience to see highly competent and skilled young people in action. PAST COMPETITION YEARS AND LOCATIONS 1st 1950: Madrid, Spain 2nd 1951: Madrid, Spain 3rd 1953: Madrid, Spain 4th 1955: Madrid, Spain 5th 1956: Madrid, Spain 6th 1957: Madrid, Spain 7th 1958: Brussels, Belgium 8th 1959: Modena, Italy 9th 1960: Barcelona, Spain 10th 1961: Duisburg, Germany 11th 1962: Gijón, Spain 12th 1963: Dublin, Ireland 13th 1964: Lisbon, Portugal 14th 1965: Glasgow, United Kingdom 15th 1966: Utrecht, Netherlands 16th 1967: Madrid, Spain 17th 1968: Bern, Switzerland 18th 1969: Brussels, Belgium 19th 1970: Tokyo, Japan 20th 1971: Gijón, Spain 21st 1973: Munich, Germany 22nd 1975: Madrid, Spain 23rd 1977: Utrecht, Netherlands 24th 1978: Busan, Korea 25th 1979: Cork, Ireland 26th 1981: Atlanta, USA 27th 1983: Linz, Austria 28th 1985: Osaka, Japan 29th 1988: Sydney, Australia 30th 1989: Birmingham, United Kingdom 31st 1991: Amsterdam, Netherlands 32nd 1993: Taipei, Chinese Taipei 33rd 1995: Lyon, France 34th 1997: St. Gallen, Switzerland 35th 1999: Montreal, Canada 36th 2001: Seoul, Korea 37th 2003: St Gallen, Switzerland 38th 2005: Helsinki, Finland 39th 2007: Shizuoka, Japan 40th 2009: Calgary, Canada 41st 2011: London, United Kingdom 42nd 2013: Leipzig, Germany 43rd 2015: São Paulo, Brazil 44th 2017: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 45th 2019: Kazan, Russia 47th 2024: Lyon, France 48th 2026: Shanghai, China 49th 2028: Aichi, Japan WorldSkills International (WSI) is more than a Competition, it is an organization with multiple events and activities that work towards its mission. With activities like the WorldSkills Leaders Forum and the WorldSkills Premiere Experience to reach senior policy and decision makers, WSI is taking an active role in raising the level of excellence in skilled careers throughout the world. Through youth-oriented programs like the WorldSkills Youth Forum, the WorldSkills Champions Exchange and the WorldSkills Portal, WSI is finding new and innovative ways to engage and involve youth beyond the WorldSkills Competition. These programs offer them a chance to stay connected and have a say in the organization. As WSI moves into the future, it continues to reach new milestones and gain new footholds in the world economy as a viable and crucial organization for launching the global economy through excellence in skilled careers. 2015 WORLD SKILLS COMPETITORS: Jake Rivard Mechanical Engineering Design-CAD Graduate of Blackstone Valley RTHS Andrew Cardin Welding (won Medallion of Excellence) Graduate of Blackstone Valley RTHS 2017 WORLD SKILLS COMPETITOR: Asher Chicoine - Plumbing