Sweden celebrates record-breaking National Skills Competition 2022

For three days between 10–12 May, more than 170 talented young professionals from across Sweden gathered in the city of Växjö to compete in 30 different skills competitions.

Returning for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, this eighth edition of Sweden’s biennial National Skills Competition – Yrkes-SM 2022 – broke audience attendance records, attracting more than 22,400 visitors over three days.

A total of 98 competitors earned themselves a place on the winner’s podiums at Yrkes-SM 2022 after competing in skills ranging from traditional trades to multi-skilled technology careers in the industry and service sectors. Gold medal winners will now also have the opportunity to be selected to represent Sweden’s national team which participates at EuroSkills and WorldSkills Competitions.

In addition to the 30 skill competitions of the Championships, which was held at the Arenastaden in Växjö, 25 demonstration skills and many Try-A-Skill activities were also on show. This provided thousands of visitors with opportunities to try hands-on job-related skills across a huge range of professions as well as the chance to speak to experts about specific trades, education paths, and career journeys.

Jenny Pettersson, project manager at WorldSkills Sweden, said: “This year's National Professional Championships have shown how much we missed meeting and being inspired by each other. The atmosphere has really been at its peak during these three competition days with record interest in our Try-A-Skill activities.”

Pettersson continued: “I would like to thank all the visitors, officials and the competing industries who made it possible to carry out the event. Hopefully, we have inspired young people to learn more about the different professions, and gain more understanding of the range of vocational programs. I would also like to extend a big congratulations to all medallists who fought during these three days and showed great skill in their professional categories.”

The ninth edition of Sweden’s National Skills Competition – Yrkes-SM 2024 – will take place in the Värmland Region with Karlstad as host city.

For further information, please visit: worldskills.se.