‘You are the role models of the future’ competitors are told as EuroSkills 2016 opens

The most skilled young people in Europe were told they are becoming the “role models of the future” as the curtain was raised on EuroSkills 2016.

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven gave a powerful speech as thousands gathered in the Scandinavium Arena for the competition’s opening ceremony tonight [November 30].

After each of the 28 different competing countries made a flag-waving appearance on stage, the Prime Minster delivered a message of the importance that each of the 500 or so competitors are making to the future.

“Your hands will create the furniture of the future, the design of the future, the communication of the future,” he said.

Team UK taking to the stage at the opening ceremony
Team UK taking to the stage at the opening ceremony

“Your pride will digitalise society, build houses and lay the floors that our children and grandchildren will walk on.

“Your dreams will become the reality of the future. So treasure them, take pride in them, and never hesitate to make those dreams a reality.”

He added: “I am also inspired by your teachers. They must have been doing something very well to get you where you are today. Please do not forget them because role models like them are the most important ingredients that we have in our lives.

“By you being here today it shows you are becoming such role models yourselves. You are so needed. You are so needed in a world in which the pace of change is constantly increasing. We need the people who are constantly striving to be the best and most skilled in their profession.

“My message to you all here today is; the world needs your pride, we need your hands, your drives, your dreams and we need you, as role models of the future.”

The ceremony, which started at around 18:30pm and closed at around 20.00pm, took place at the venue that plays host to the competitions starting tomorrow.

The Team UK fan club
The Team UK fan clubexperts

It included speeches from the Prime Minister, the president of WorldSkills Europe, Hubert Romer, competitor and expert oaths, as well as what can only be described as a Eurovision style concert on “Swedish hit music history” featuring renditions of ‘the final countdown’ and ‘dancing queen’ among much more.

“In the coming days almost 500 competitors will compete in 44 skills,” said Mr Romer.

“During the next three days you will work, you will give all you can give. Meanwhile, thousands of students will watch and admire you. You are real heroes for us and for them, no matter what result you get at the end because all of you are already winners.”

Speaking to FE Week straight after the ceremony, Carole Stott, chair of WorldSkills UK, said the ceremony was “brilliant”.

“What the Prime Minister said at the beginning was just brilliant and was really spot on in terms of recognising and celebrating everything that we are doing and how important it was.

“All of the excitement and energy at the end was a great way to start the competition.”

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