Tatyana Golikova, Rustam Minnikhanov and Simon Bartley launch the countdown clock to tick down towards the WorldSkills-2019 in Kazan

On January 24, on Bauman Street in Kazan, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Tatyana Golikova, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov and President of WorldSkills International Simon Bartley launched the countdown clock to tick down towards the 45th WorldSkills Competition.

In her welcoming speech, Golikova noted that the WorldSkills Competition will be held in Kazan from the 22nd to the 27th of August. “Today, we have launched the countdown clock to tick down towards the first guest, who will arrive in Kazan to take part in the competition. The Russian government and our country pay great attention to blue-collar jobs. Holding this competition is another opportunity to demonstrate skills and to choose a profession. I hope that the event will become a guiding star in the life of young people,” she said.

Speaking at the event, Minnikhanov thanked the President of Russia and the WorldSkills leadership for trust placed in the republic.

In his turn, Bartley reminded that 1,264 days passed since the capital of Tatarstan won the right to host the WorldSkills Competition, and only a few months were left before the opening ceremony. “We are encouraged that all Kazan residents and guests will join us when they walk along Bauman Street. The idea of the WorldSkills Competition is that skills can change the life of young people. Every time you pass by and see this clock, think about how important this event is for a large number of young people,” he added.

It was noted at the ceremony, that about 1,600 competitors from more than 60 countries will compete in 56 skills during the WorldSkills Competition in Kazan.