MANILA, Philippines — The exchange of up-to-date technical information has contributed much in enhancing understanding among nations, and the biennial WorldSkills is one of the venues where young artisans from all over the world showcase the latest techniques in industrial skills.

WorldSkills is now the world’s largest skills competition, jobs, and careers event for young workers aged 17 to 22 years old. Initiated in Spain in 1950, the skills contest was designed to stimulate interest in technical training and help elevate public esteem for technicians and other skilled workers. From a local competition, it expanded to the rest of Europe and then to the whole world.

The skills event was originally known as the International Youth Skill Olympics (IYSO). In recent years, it has assumed a corollary role by serving as a technical exhibition of both developed and developing nations.

World Skills International (WSI) is also the lead global authority for skilled professions development, setting an international standard for excellence in trades, skilled professions and high technology. As of September 2008, WSI has 50 member countries. It encourages the youth, parents, and trainors to explore career opportunities in the skilled trades and professions.

The Albert Vidal Award, named after Francisco Albert-Vidal of Spain, founder of WorldSkills International, is awarded to the competitor who achieves the highest overall score in all competition areas.

At the WorldSkills London 2011, the top three winning nations among 51 countries were South Korea, Japan, and Switzerland. The Albert Vidal Award went to competitors Byeong Yeon Bae and Jeong Pyo Gong of South Korea in the field of Mobile Robotics.

In July 1997, eight young Filipino skilled workers competed in the 34th IYSO in St. Gallen, Switzerland. Gerrelen Diaz of Iloilo won a bronze medal in the ladies’ dressmaking competition. Dennis Rosales (welding) and Bienvenido Balbin (refrigeration technique) both received a diploma of excellence for exceeding standards set for their respective trades. The Philippines ranked 17th, tying with Malaysia in the overall tally of 31 participating countries.

Aside from the competition trades, there were two demonstration skills in Creative Modelling and Visual Merchandising. A demonstration skill is designed like a skills competition, but does not have official status yet as a competition skill.

The next WorldSkills will be held in Leipzig, Germany in July 2013.