Key highlights from WorldSkills Europe General Assembly Helsinki 2026
The series of strategic meetings brought together more than 140 delegates from all WorldSkills Europe Members, Sponsors and Partners in Helsinki, Finland from 9-12 June 2026.
The WorldSkills Europe General Assembly Helsinki 2026 concluded after a two-day series of strategic meetings and discussions, which focused on the importance of collaboration to promote excellence in skills, and of quality, innovation and continuous development of skills competitions.
The General Assembly 2026 was hosted by Skills Finland, a highly experienced Member organisation, having previously hosted the WorldSkills Europe General Assembly in 2015, also in Helsinki.
The event convened meetings of WorldSkills Europe’s Strategy Working Group, the Competitions Committee, and the main General Assembly meeting, which this year included a presentation of the final report on EuroSkills Herning 2025, an update from WorldSkills Luxembourg on its pedagogical projects related to EuroSkills 2027, and progress reports from the Organising Teams of EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027 and EuroSkills Geneva 2029.
Welcoming two new Members of WorldSkills Europe
The General Assembly 2026 also formally ratified the membership of Malta and Moldova as the newest Members of WorldSkills Europe, bringing the total number of WorldSkills Europe Member Countries up to 36.
New Sponsors and Partners
WorldSkills Europe Sponsors and Partners were also present in Helsinki, providing their perspectives on the future demands for skilled talent in industry.
GF and Kemppi were officially welcomed as the newest Premium Sponsors of WorldSkills Europe, and the European Forum of Technical and Vocational Education & Training (EfVET) was officially welcomed as a new partner.
Board election
The General Assembly re-elected Ben Blackledge (UK) as WorldSkills Europe Chair of the Board for a second term.
Remembering Simon Bartley
At the beginning of the General Assembly, the WorldSkills Europe Board informed delegates of the very sad news of the recent passing of Simon Bartley, past President of WorldSkills International, and past Treasurer of WorldSkills Europe. To honour Simon’s memory and to celebrate his remarkable life, delegates gave Simon a standing ovation in recognition of his decades-long commitment to the WorldSkills movement.
General Assembly 2027
The next WorldSkills Europe General Assembly will take place in Düsseldorf, Germany, during EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027 (22-26 September 2027).
View photos from the WorldSkills Europe General Assembly Helsinki 2026.
Thank you to our hosts – Skills Finland
WorldSkills Europe would like to thank the General Assembly Helsinki 2026 hosts – Skills Finland – for their excellent organisation and hospitality.
Skills Finland used the opportunity of hosting the General Assembly 2026 to encourage all WorldSkills Europe Members to join them at next year’s International Abilympics, a skills competition open to anyone aged 15 years or over with special needs or disabilities.
International Abilympics Helsinki 2027 (10-13 May 2027) is being organised by Skills Finland with the support of the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture and in partnership with many of the country’s vocational education and training providers.
The International Abilympics Helsinki 2027 will be held concurrently with Taitaja2027 (Finland's National Skills Competition) under the banner Skills Games – a major event featuring up to 80 skills in total. Skills Games highlights the potential of vocational professionals requiring special support and provides young people with a broad view of the diverse opportunities in vocational education.
