The WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition came to a successful close last month. Among the record-breaking achievements of Team Hong Kong, the competitor of the Visual Merchandising trade won the Gold medal. It is the third Gold Medal since Hong Kong first joined the WorldSkills Competition in 1997. The outstanding performance of the Team has demonstrated how skills change lives and one can shine in the international arena with exquisite and professional skills.

 

 

Team Hong Kong travelled to 10 different countries to take part in 26 skills competitions between September and November. Most of the competitors representing Hong Kong this year are students and graduates from programmes of different levels including Degree, Higher Diploma and Diploma of Vocational Education of the Vocational Training Council (VTC). It is the first time in history for all three organisers of WorldSkills Hong Kong Competition, including the VTC, the Construction Industry Council (CIC) and the Clothing Industry Training Authority (CITA) to receive medals simultaneously. Among all competition trades, Team Hong Kong participated in Cloud Computing, Mobile Applications Development, and Digital Construction for the first time, yet they won Medallions for Excellence upon their first participation. It is also the first time for the Team to bag Medallions for Excellence in 3 other trades, including the Information Network Cabling, Restaurant Service and Welding, achieving another breakthrough.

 

 LEUNG Ka-yu, competitor of the Visual Merchandising trade and the HKDI graduate of the Higher Diploma in Design for Event, Exhibition and Performance programme, won the third Gold Medal of Team Hong Kong in history.

 

LEUNG Ka-yu, graduate of the Higher Diploma in Design for Event, Exhibition and Performance programme at Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), a member institution of VTC, won the Gold Medal in the Visual Merchandising trade at Sweden, which is also the third Gold Medal of Team Hong Kong in history under the WorldSkills Competition (IT Network Systems Administration trade in WorldSkills Montreal 1999 and Jewellery trade in WorldSkills Helsinki 2005). Ka-yu was surprised to be awarded with the Gold Medal as the competition test project was quite challenging. She attributed her achievement to the guidance and nurture of her expert and trainer. “The programme of HKDI equipped me with skills like IT programmes for 3D design, spatial scene processing, as well as structure and material arrangement, which helped me perform well during the competition. I think good time management and quick response made me stand out in the competition.” She said. Leo CHAN Tat-keung, Chief Expert of the trade and Senior Lecturer of Department of Architecture, Interior and Product Design of HKDI stated that Ka-yu truly deserved the Gold Medal as she fully demonstrated the design, display and drawing skills she gained from trainings for the competition.

 

 

The Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) graduate of Higher Diploma in Cloud and Data Centre Administration programme, NG Sin-ching showcased excellence in the competition of Cloud Computing held in Korea. He found the daily sharing of ideas and thoughts with other competitors and experts after competition during the 4-day tournament unforgettable. He said, “Being able to meet the top elites from all over the world, exchange views on cloud and various innovative technologies, and listen to their insights on the development of technologies in the new era incredibly broadened my horizons. I would say it is the most invaluable experience.” Upon his graduation from the IVE programme, Sin-ching started a startup tech company. Inspired by experience from WorldSkills Competition, he decided to travel abroad to observe the startup business development in different regions like Dubai and Singapore, in order to strengthen foundation for his future career.

 

 

Team Hong Kong also shone in trades under the Personal and Social Services category. LEE Ka-ho, a Youth College graduate of Diploma of Vocational Education (Hairdressing) won a Medallion for Excellence in the competition of Hairdressing held in Finland. Ka-ho recalled being thrilled when the result was announced. He thanked his teachers not only for teaching him the basic know-how of hairdressing, but also analysing and explaining hairstyles in details with him, helping him to progress. After Ka-ho started to learn hairdressing, he is responsible for his parents’ hairstyling. He even designed banquet hairstyles for his mother. During his study at the Youth College, Ka-ho travelled to Japan for an exchange programme where he visited local hair design schools. He has been actively participating in hairdressing-related competitions outside Hong Kong, competing with contestants from different countries, and winning various awards since 2018. His outstanding achievements affirmed his career aspiration to join the hairdressing industry in future.

The biennial WorldSkills Competition is the world’s largest skills competition which aims at raising awareness of Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) and skills training in the international community. Into its 46th competition, a Special Edition is held due to the pandemic. Over 1,000 young skilled talents from nearly 60 countries and regions were invited to compete in over 60 skills competitions in more than 10 different countries and regions around the world between September and November. 30 Hong Kong competitors travelled to 10 different countries with experts in batches to take part in 26 skills competition and eventually won glory for Hong Kong.

This year is the 25th year Team Hong Kong joins the WorldSkills Competition. Hong Kong has cumulatively won three Gold, one Silver and five Bronze prizes, as well as 71 Medallions for Excellence.