28. August 2017

From October 14 to 19, 2017, the 38 members of the SwissSkills national team will be putting their abilities to the test at the World Skills Competition in Abu Dhabi. As one of the most successful countries in the more than 60-year history of this competition, the national team hopes to again achieve top rankings this year.

As Presenting Partner, UBS is supporting both the preparations and the hopefully successful participation by the young Swiss talents. To give you a taster of this eagerly anticipated major event, we have put together some interesting facts about WorldSkills.

• WorldSkills Competitions were first held more than 60 years ago and take place every two years at different locations.

• At the WorldSkills Competition in Abu Dhabi on October 14–19, 2017, some 1,200 apprentices and professionals from 76 countries will compete.

• Participants at WorldSkills come from 50 different professions and must be 22 years old or younger.

• Switzerland will compete in 36 disciplines and is one of the largest teams.

• Our participants will be accompanied by some 40 experts and delegates, who will ensure that everything runs smoothly.

• In the more than 60-year history of the international WorldSkills championships, young Swiss participants have won more than 300 medals, making Switzerland the most successful country overall.

• In 2003 in St. Gallen and 2005 in Helsinki, the SwissSkills team took first place in the national team rankings. In 2009 in Calgary and 2013 in Leipzig, Switzerland ranked second.