Delegates from ASEAN Member States stand together in a group photo after the meeting.
August 20 to 21, 2024 – at World Trade Center, Pasay City, Metro Manila
It’s mission accomplished for the First Organizing Committee Meeting (1st OCM) for WorldSkills ASEAN Competition Philippines in 2025 (WSASEAN2025).
The two-day convention, held on 20-21 August 2024, wrapped up successfully after having accomplished its agenda of defining the competition’s parameters, establishing rules and procedures, selecting jury members, and deciding on future hosts.
The 1st OCM gathered delegates from the ten ASEAN Member States (AMS) at the World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) to lay the groundwork and initiate the event-planning process for the 14th WorldSkills ASEAN Competition. TESDA Deputy Director General Vidal D. Villanueva III, as Chairman, presided over the meeting, with the next host country, Indonesia, serving as Vice-Chair.
Newly appointed TESDA Director General Jose Francisco “Kiko” B. Benitez, in his opening remarks during the opening ceremony, gave his assurance of the readiness of TESDA to spearhead this prestigious event.
The 1st OCM was also attended by foreign industry partners who will render technical expertise and material support in different skill areas of the competition. Festo Inc. from Germany introduced a prospective new skill area, Industry 4.0, while Doosan Robotics from Korea presented Collaborative Robot (Cobot) as a potential new skill area for WSASEAN2025. The Japan Vocational Ability Development Association (JAVADA) presented their bid to host the 49th WorldSkills International Competition in 2028.
The 1st OCM was part of the weeklong TESDA’s 30th Anniversary celebration on 19-25 August 2024 at the WTCMM, highlighted by the 2024 Philippine National Skills Competition (2024PNSC) from 22-24 August 2024. The ASEAN delegates were among the special guests during the opening ceremony of the 2024PNSC.
WorldSkills ASEAN is the largest showcase of technical and vocational skills in the ASEAN Region. This is the second time that the Philippines will host this biennial competition since its inception in 1996. Close to 300 of the most talented youths from the ten AMS will compete in at least 32 skill areas. As agreed during the 1st OCM, the ASEAN delegates will convene again for the 1st Technical Committee Committee Meeting in February 2025 in Manila.
About WorldSkills ASEAN
WorldSkills ASEAN is the largest showcase of professional and technical skills in the ASEAN (The Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region and brings the objectives of the WorldSkills movement to Southeast Asia. The skills competition was initiated by an agreement among ASEAN Member States in 1993 and aims to promote and raise skills standards in the ASEAN region to an international level, as well as to motivate youths to develop their skills and knowledge. ASEAN Member States take turns to host the biennial WorldSkills ASEAN Competition.