TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The 47th WorldSkills Competition in Lyon, France, also known as the Olympics of vocational trades, concluded on Sunday (Sept. 15), with Taiwan winning 2 golds, 3 silvers, and 10 bronzes.
The international competition was founded after World War II, giving young people more impetus to pursue vocational training that would assist Europe's rebuilding. Held every two years, the event draws competitors from 85 member countries competing in 50 occupational trades ranging from cabinetmaking to hairdressing, florist arts, refrigeration, and air-conditioning.
Minister of Labor Ho Pei-shan (何佩珊) accompanied Taiwan’s competitors throughout the five-day competition. Ho expressed pride in the skills of competitors as well as the future development of Taiwan's technical and vocational education.
In a telephone interview with CNA, a gold medalist in cabinetmaking Tsai Yun-rong (蔡昀融) said he dedicated many hours of study and practice to his trade. He said he often felt like giving up while preparing for the competition but did not want to disappoint his teachers and fellow students who supported him.
Tsai’s family is involved in a similar industry and began working in carpentry in kindergarten. He joined his first competition in junior high and has continually worked to improve his skills.
Tsai said the most difficult part of the competition was the time constraint associated with each assignment. This led him to discuss the matter with his instructor to develop an efficient work schedule to complete the task within the specified time.
Meanwhile, gold medalist in refrigeration and air-conditioning Chen Si-yuan (陳思源) said the WorldSkills Competition included difficult piping and welding challenges. He worked diligently to defeat 23 competitors in his field. He said his victory was a “dream come true.”
Chen's family is also engaged in a related industry, and he began studying refrigeration and air conditioning at the age of 15. He said the support of family members and vocational instructors gave him the energy and encouragement to move forward.
Tsai and Chen said Taiwan's vocational education was very supportive and helpful in their skill development. Tsai told reporters that many resources are available to young competitors, allowing them to compete in national and international competitions.
