Dubrovnik hosts the global stage for skills during WorldSkills General Assembly 2025
WorldSkills General Assembly 2025 brought the global skills community to Dubrovnik, Croatia from 12–17 October 2025, with over 350 delegates from Member organisations and Global Partners gathering to set direction for the decade ahead.
For Europe, the Assembly was more than a meeting. It showcased the strength of regional collaboration and the shared ambition to accelerate high-quality Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) across the continent. Delegates advanced work on Vision 2035, welcomed new strategic partnerships, and prepared for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.
Ideas, innovation, and cooperation
Throughout the week, delegates explored the future of skills development, innovations in vocational education, and the importance of international cooperation. Discussions highlighted how to empower young professionals, promote green skills, and adapt to digital transformation in the labour market - priorities reflected in WorldSkills’ committee work and partner meetings.
WorldSkills also announced new partnerships, including Pearson becoming a Global Premium Partner following a signing on day one, underscoring industry’s growing role in modernising assessment and supporting inclusive, digitised training systems.
Participants of the General Assembly also had the opportunity to learn more about the Boss Ladies initiative - Divers’ largest and longest-running transformation project. The initiative aims to ensure that more women can unlock their potential in technical vocational education programs, which remain some of the most gender-segregated fields in the country.
GA audience also witnessed the Live Pitch Finale of the BeChangeMaker programme, where the finalists presented their innovative ideas to the international audience, and they even had the chance to vote for their favourite team.
Strong European Voices at WorldSkills Croatia Conference 2025
A major highlight was the WorldSkills Croatia Conference 2025 on 14 October, a full-day international forum under the banner “Skills (R)Evolution – Empowering the future with skills development and TVET.” The conference featured 20+ speakers and drew nearly 300 delegates, including European leaders from policy, industry, education, and youth communities.
Finnish futurist and author Perttu Pölönen delivered a keynote on human skills in an AI-driven era, warning that removing “effort” from learning risks eroding “purpose”. In the opening plenary, Nurit Davidowicz, WorldSkills Champions Trust representative for Europe, called on employers to motivate the next generation and demonstrate the social impact of skilled work.
Manuela Geleng, Director for Jobs and Skills at the European Commission, addressed Europe’s labour market needs, stressing the importance of making TVET careers attractive and ensuring cross-border mobility of skills.
From industry, Sharon Hague, CEO of Pearson UK, described this as an “incredible moment for TVET,” outlining how investment and technology can empower learners and educators — a message reinforced by Pearson’s new partnership with WorldSkills International.
European experts enriched the programme throughout the week. André Burri (SwissSkills) and George Kostakis (Cedefop) were among those sharing best practice on making skills systems more innovative and inclusive, reflecting Europe’s leadership from policy to implementation.
Collaboration, strategy, and European leadership in action
Following the conference, day-three committee and working-group sessions epitomised the Assembly’s collaborative spirit. In the Strategic Development Committee, delegates reviewed progress on marketing and partnerships, preparations for the WorldSkills Conference 2026, and updates on the OECD PISA-VET initiative. They also advanced discussions on Vision 2035 and EDI best practice. In the Competitions Committee, technical delegates examined the latest developments to the WorldSkills Occupational Standards and explored how AI could assist with translating Test Projects.
European Members played a prominent role in governance. The General Assembly re-elected Alexander Erdmann (Germany) as Treasurer and elected Patrik Svensson (Sweden) as Board Member – Competitions, alongside Donald Tong (Hong Kong) as Board Member – Strategic Development. These outcomes underline Europe’s continued influence in WorldSkills’ global leadership.
Beyond formal votes, delegates engaged in lively marketing communications workshops, Global Partner briefings, and a Skills Promotion event where Champions Trust members inspired Croatian students with personal stories of transformation through skills.
Hospitality of the Adriatic
The host, WorldSkills Croatia, ensured that delegates experienced Croatian hospitality and Dubrovnik’s cultural heritage. Evening activities included a guided tour of the Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offering time for reflection and networking amid the city’s historic walls and winding streets.
As the Assembly concluded, Members and Partners expressed deep gratitude to the organisers and looked ahead to the next milestones on the WorldSkills calendar, including the road to WorldSkills Shanghai 2026