Mark Vender
The 46th WorldSkills International Competition scheduled to be held in Shanghai has been cancelled due to ongoing pandemic prevention and control restrictions in China.
Scheduled for October 12–17, 2022, the competition was originally planned for 2021 and was postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic.
“It is with deep disappointment that we announce the cancellation of WorldSkills Shanghai 2022,” says WorldSkills International president Chris Humphries. “Looking ahead to the future, we have no doubt that when China hosts a WorldSkills Competition, it will be extraordinary.
“We are grateful for the time and resources that the competitors and the committed supporters, employers, experts, and partners have invested in preparation for the event. Alongside WorldSkills members and partners, we are working actively to develop alternative competitive arrangements to celebrate your skills in 2022. Look for announcements by the end of June 2022.”
One of the many competitors set to appear at the tournament was Perth-based Tom Clancy, representing Australia in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning category. He had been undergoing intensive training in the lead-up to the event with WorldSkills international training manager and expert Carl Balke, Affil.AIRAH. Those in the skills camp have acknowledged the cancellation as very disappointing for all involved.
One option being investigated is to hold the international Refrigeration and Air Conditioning competition as part of Chillventa 2022 – a leading international HVAC&R exhibition and conference to be held from October 11–13, 2022 in Nuremberg, Germany. Germany’s national refrigeration WorldSkills competition has been held as part of this event previously. A decision on the alternative competitions is expected by June 30.
In addition, plans are under way to have Clancy do training and demonstrations at ARBS 2022, alongside the WorldSkills Australia Victorian Regional Competitions. The 2022 WorldSkills competition round is now running across the country, with the next National Championship being held in August 2023 at the MCEC in Melbourne.
WorldSkills has recognised the commitment shown by its Chinese host partners: the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS), the Municipality of Shanghai, WorldSkills China, and WorldSkills Shanghai 2022.
Following the WorldSkills Competition in Lyon, France, in 2024, WorldSkills is considering bringing the WorldSkills Competition to Shanghai, China, in 2026, subject to the decision made by the members at its General Assembly.
Further details on plans for 2022, including the WorldSkills Conference, will be released as available.
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