GROHE becomes Premium Sponsor of WorldSkills Europe

Jun 01, 2023

WorldSkills Europe is pleased to announce that GROHE, a leading global brand for complete bathroom solutions and kitchen fittings, has become the newest Premium Sponsor.

GROHE first became a supporter of the WorldSkills movement in the lead up to WorldSkills Kazan 2019, which saw the company organise the Plumbing and Heating competition. They became a Global Industry Partner of WorldSkills International in April 2022, and for the WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition, GROHE opened its production site and training centre in Lahr, Germany to host the Plumbing and Heating competition.

Teija Ripattila, Chair of the Board, WorldSkills Europe, said: “We are excited to welcome GROHE as a Premium Sponsor of WorldSkills Europe, which represents another milestone in GROHE’s already impressive track-record of raising the profile, abilities, economic prospects of young people. GROHE’s support of WorldSkills Europe will be invaluable in helping us prepare young talent in the sanitary industry for their future careers.”

Since 2014 GROHE has been part of the brand portfolio of LIXIL, a manufacturer of pioneering water and housing products. Through GROHE’s GIVE Program (GROHE Installer Vocational Training and Education), the company supports plumbing schools in creating a uniformed approach, with modern equipment, training material, and a written and practical examination that sets new industry standards for installers.

“Installers are the backbone of the sanitary industry, said Jonas Brennwald, Leader, LIXIL EMENA. “For us, as one of the industry leaders, it is a matter of course to take action and encourage young skilled plumbing professionals. We do not only need to equip trainees with the right skills, we need to get people excited about this profession. They can have a real impact on today’s and tomorrow’s society,” he added.

Tom York, Director of Marketing and Communications, WorldSkills Europe (left), Jonas Brennwald, Leader, LIXIL EMENA (centre) and Timo Kurz, Leader GIVE Program and WorldSkills, LIXIL EMENA (right), sign the official WorldSkills Europe / GROHE Sponsorship Agreement at the GROHE X Professional Event in Lisbon on 1 June 2023.

GROHE’s collaboration with WorldSkills Europe is already fully in motion – the company will support the Plumbing and Heating competition at EuroSkills Gdańsk 2023 in September. And as a Global Industry Partner of WorldSkills, GROHE will provide the same support for WorldSkills Lyon 2024.

“Partnering with WorldSkills International and WorldSkills Europe enables us to reach new talent,” said Timo Kurz, Leader GIVE Program and WorldSkills, LIXIL EMENA. “Through competitions and promotional activities, we want to inspire young people to develop a passion for skills and pursuing excellence,” he added.

EuroSkills and WorldSkills Champions in Plumbing and Heating pose with WorldSkills Europe's Tom York (left), LIXIL Leader EMENA, Jonas Brenwald (centre) and Timo Kurz, Leader GIVE Program and WorldSkills, LIXIL EMENA (second from right) and others at the GROHE X Professional Event in Lisbon on 1 June 2023.

Plumbing and Heating Competitors and Experts at the WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition, which GROHE held at its production site and training centre in Lahr, Germany, on 2–4 November 2022.

GROHE joins five other WorldSkills Europe Sponsors and 32 Member Countries that are committed to helping young people change their lives, and the fortunes of their communities and countries through skills. Learn more about our WorldSkills Europe Sponsors.