From 5 to 9 September, the AMBEREXPO and Polsat Plus Arena Gdańsk grounds will become an arena in which 600 competitors from 32 countries will compete during EuroSkills 2023. They will compete for the titles of European Champion in 43 disciplines, including furniture-making, floristry, baking and car mechanics. Participants and fans will be able to reach the venue by, among other things, a direct train from the Main Railway Station.
EuroSkills Gdańsk 2023 is the eighth edition of the biennial EuroSkills competition, Europe's largest event related to vocational education and skills development. Held every two years, the competition brings together hundreds of young professionals from countries across Europe, who compete for the titles of the best in their chosen skill.
– Today it is already clear how the space around Międzynarodowe Targi Gdańskie is changing, between our amber pride and AMBEREXPO. The EuroSkills competition will be held for the first time in Eastern Europe. Participants from across Europe will showcase their skills in competitions such as hairdressing, furniture-making, construction, floristry, and also more technically advanced ones – says Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of Gdańsk. – Everything will take the form of sporting competition, so we encourage everyone to watch the events, cheer on the competitors, but also draw inspiration. This is a good opportunity to open your eyes and see what professions exist in the world, how much joy they can bring and how beautiful things can be created.
Spectators will be able to follow the competition free of charge, as well as try their hand in the "Try-a-Skill" zones. This is an excellent opportunity to encourage young people to develop their passion and get a start on their future career. Entry to the event grounds will be possible after free registration via a specially prepared registration form.
Pupils in years 7 and 8 of Gdańsk primary schools are especially invited to the audience, as they will be able to learn about the professions on site, which they will then be able to study at technical and vocational schools.
EuroSkills Gdańsk 2023 is organised in cooperation with the Foundation for the Development of the Education System, WorldSkills Poland, WorldSkills Europe, the City of Gdańsk and AMBEREXPO.
From Polish qualifiers to the European competition
Gdańsk already has some experience in organising this type of event. In 2021, AMBEREXPO hosted the Polish qualifiers for the WorldSkills competition in Shanghai, while last year the SkillsPoland competition was held, i.e. the qualifiers for this year's EuroSkills Gdańsk 2023.
During last year's competition, 200 competitors took part, and their efforts were judged by 140 judges from Poland and abroad. In the furniture-making event, the winner was Mateusz Janta, a graduate and also a teacher at the State Schools of Construction in Gdańsk, who will now compete for the title of best in Europe.
– A great deal of support in this competition came from the school, where I learned about it and was encouraged to take part and test my skills. Last year's task was to make a cabinet, i.e. the body of a piece of furniture, plus a drawer and a furniture front. All in solid wood and using strictly defined machines that could be used – says Mateusz Janta. – I strongly encourage participation in such competitions, because it is not only about showing your skills, but it is also a challenge to complete a given piece of furniture within a set time, using specific tools and in accordance with the design. On the other hand, every detail is taken into account, in order to select the person who works fastest, most efficiently and keeps the best order at their workstation. So that it is truly the best person in Poland, in Europe and in the world.
Extensive competition grounds
EuroSkills Gdańsk 2023 will take place both inside the AMBEREXPO halls and in marquees set up in the car park of the Gdańsk International Fair and at Polsat Plus Arena Gdańsk. The opening and closing ceremonies will be held directly on the stadium pitch.
– We have more than 50,000 m² of space occupied for such a wonderful event as EuroSkills. The 16 tents erected here represent an enormous challenge and an enormous amount of work – says Andrzej Bojanowski, President of Międzynarodowe Targi Gdańskie. – This is the largest civilian undertaking in terms of building such complex tent infrastructure in such a short time. Let us remember that they are all air-conditioned and ventilated. They are prepared for various competitions, from bricklaying through machine operation, hairdressing, and finishing with furniture-making.
The competition grounds will be divided into zones, in which competitions will be held across six different subject areas:
- Construction technology
- Art and fashion
- Information and communication technology
- Manufacturing and engineering technology
- Social services
- Transport and logistics
The City of Gdańsk stand will be run by the Starter Business Incubator, whose mission is to connect business with education. The stand's theme is Gdańsk, a City of Entrepreneurship. Young people will be able to take on challenges in areas including entrepreneurship, developing competencies and future professions. And for the most active, small gifts are planned. At the stand, young people will be able to talk to Incubator representatives about their own business ideas and hear about the initiatives on offer in Gdańsk for young entrepreneurs.
Changes to traffic organisation
Due to the extensive competition grounds, changes to traffic will also be necessary, aimed at ensuring the safety of event participants, while also enabling access and parking for staff and technical supplies.
– The first changes will already appear on the weekend of 26–27 August and will involve the closure of Pokoleń Lechii Gdańsk street. The biggest and most significant changes for Letnica residents will appear at the very peak of the event, i.e. between 5 and 9 September. During this time, traffic in this district will run one-way along Starowiejska street. Uczniowska street, in relation to Rondo Mazowieckie, will also be one-way. We will organise parking there for participants and staff – says Agata Lewandowska, City Traffic Engineer. – We encourage you to arrive by public transport, which will operate as usual. Schools that decide to arrive by coach will also find dedicated parking spaces.
For those wishing to visit the event grounds during the competition, access will be possible from Gdańsk Główny station by a direct train, which will stop only at Gdańsk Stadion Expo station. The train will run between 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. and will also be available for those wishing to return to the centre of Gdańsk from the AMBEREXPO grounds.
10 food trucks will be set up at the event, serving delicious food – there will be something for everyone. The event's closing ceremony will take place on 9 September at 6 p.m. at the Polsat Plus Arena Gdańsk Stadium. Participants can look forward to numerous attractions, light shows and a concert by Sound'n'Grace and Kamil Bednarek.