Inspiring skills showcase at Startech’s Days 2024
Belgium’s Startech’s Days 2024 event showcased technical, technological and scientific skills to young people and families over three days.
More than 10,500 visitors came to discover exciting technical, technological and scientific careers at Startech’s Days 2024, which took place between 17 and 19 November at WEX in Marche-en-Famenne, Belgium.
With almost 28,000m2 of exhibition and competition space, this unique event highlighted the skills and training opportunities in fields in which skilled professionals are in high demand. Families enjoyed special access on the first day, which was dedicated to discovering different skills and professions, attracting many curious visitors circulating the WEX halls.
Belgian Skills Championship
Startech’s Days 2024 also hosted 29 finals in the Belgian Skills Championship, in which 187 talented, young Belgian finalists and 17 international Competitors took part.
The event welcomed international delegations from Denmark, Hungary, Luxembourg, Romania, Slovenia and Sweden, as well as ministers Valérie Glatigny, Valérie Lescrenier and Jérôme Franssen, and the President of the Walloon Parliament, Willy Borsus.
Startech’s Days 2024 highlights
Alongside the Belgian Skills Championship, other highlights of the event included the ‘Visitor’s Notebook,’ an educational tool designed specifically for school groups which enhanced young visitors’ experience as they discovered new skills. The STEAM Experience provided an interactive learning space featuring members of the Diffusion des Sciences et des Techniques programme, and many visitors enjoyed Science Shows highlighting the magic of science with Fabrizio Bucella.
Celebrating the medallists in the Belgian Skills Championship
The results of the 29 Belgian Skills Championship Finals were revealed at the Startech’s Days 2024 Closing Ceremony at WEX. 82 medallists across 29 professions were honoured for their achievements, with special recognition for the three youngest Competitors to win a medal:
- Jules LOREE, aged 16, Silver medal in Cabinet Making
- Mathieu COLYNS, aged 16, Gold medal in Plastics Processing
- Pierre VERSTRAETE, 16, Silver medal in Computer Graphics
Medallists hailed from different regions of Belgium - 19 from the Province of Liège (including one from the German-speaking community), 18 from Hainaut, 12 from Brussels, 11 from Flanders, 12 from the Province of Namur, seven from the Province of Luxembourg, two from Walloon Brabant, and one from France but studying in Belgium.
Of the 89 medallists, 34 were students in secondary education, six were in dual training (IFAPME and EFP), 22 were students in higher education, 19 were already working, either as employees or self-employed, and one was unemployed.
Team Belgium for EuroSkills Herning 2025
The Champions who will represent Team Belgium for EuroSkills Herning 2025 will be revealed on 12 December at 7pm on the WorldSkills Belgium Facebook page.
The three medallists in each skill will be eligible for selection, and the successful candidates will be selected based on a technical assessment by the Experts, and an assessment of soft skills (motivation, stress management, willingness, and ability to learn) by the Team Leaders.
Competitors selected for Team Belgium will have regular meetings with the Experts and Team Leaders to perfect their technical and mental training, ready to compete in EuroSkills Herning from 9-13 September 2025.
For more information about Startech’s Days 2024, visit: worldskillsbelgium.be