Vladimir Putin: “I am sure our guests liked Kazan, a brilliant, vibrantly developing city!”

(KZN.RU, August 27, Ksenia Shvetsova). The 45th WorldSkills Championship has ended in Kazan. The closing ceremony, which took place today at the stadium “Kazan Arena”, was attended by Vladimir Putin, President of the RF. He congratulated the winners of the championship, who were awarded medals today, and noted that all conditions were created in Kazan for a fair fight between participants from more than 60 countries of the world.

For the first time, Russia held a competition of the best professionals on the planet. It became the largest and most representative in the history of the WorldSkills movement, a vivid, unforgettable spectacle, said V. Putin. All participants showed brilliant technique and skills in their competencies, he added.

“I am sure our guests liked Kazan, a brilliant, energetically developing city with an ancient and young history. All conditions were created here for an honest, fair fight, for friendly communication of spectators and participants from more than 60 countries of the world”, said the President of the RF.

Half a million people have already joined the WorldSkills movement in Russia, and this number is growing steadily, noted the head of state. “In our country, WorldSkills has become an essential element in the advanced system of professional education, which we are building, among other things, in the specialties of the digital economy”, said V. Putin. “We are changing our colleges, creating broad opportunities for children to engage in technical creativity, and we are glad that our experience has been in demand”.

For the first time in Kazan, schoolchildren competed in professional skills. The President of the RF added that competitions in future competencies were also of great interest.

It is necessary to preserve and use the legacy of the championship for citizens so that each person, regardless of age and health, can realize all his abilities, choose his own path of training and development, acquire the required skills throughout his life, added Vladimir Putin. “Russia is open for joint work to create such an affordable, continuous model of training. Thus, together we will be able to answer the challenges of the upcoming technological era, ensure sustainable development, create conditions for improving the well-being of people”, said the head of state.

A major step in promoting the principles of the WorldSkills movement will be the world championship in Shanghai in 2021, said V. Putin. “We are happy to pass the baton to our Chinese friends. And we will do our best to hold the European Championship in St. Petersburg at the highest level in 2022”, he said. “Good luck to everyone. Thanks to Tatarstan, thanks to Kazan!”

Simon Bartley, the President of WorldSkills International, joined the congratulations of the winners of the championship. “You are already the best in your professions, and you are leaving becoming even better!” he said. “I ask you to use all your skills and opportunities for continuous development in life”.

Mr. Bartley also thanked everyone who participated in organizing and conducting one of the largest events of this year: experts, volunteers, guides, managers.

“I want to express special gratitude to the leadership and residents of the country. The championship in Kazan is an example for everyone who will hold this event in the future”, said Mr. Bartley. He separately thanked Vladimir Putin, the President of the RF, Tatiana Golikova, the deputy prime minister of the RF, Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of the RT, Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan.

In conclusion, Simon Bartley once again congratulated all the participants of the championship and noted their success. “I personally met with the champions and I am confident that our future is in good hands!” he said.

The official part of the ceremony ended with a symbolic transfer of the WorldSkills flag to China, which was attended by Tatiana Golikova, the deputy prime minister of the RF, Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, and Ying Yun, the Mayor of Shanghai.

Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of the RT, Robert Urazov, the general director of the Union of Young Professionals (WorldSkills Russia), and others attended the closing ceremony of the championship.

The anniversary 45th World Championship in Professional Excellence by WorldSkills standards was held in Kazan from 22 to 27 of August. It was attended by 1360 contestants from 63 countries; 1294 experts evaluated their competitions in 56 competencies.