Competition Rules

WSI_OD03

Contents
1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 6
1.1 Definition of terms............................................................................................................................... 6
1.2 Core values.......................................................................................................................................... 6
1.3 Disciplinary action ................................................................................................................................ 6
1.4 Official Competition documentation .................................................................................................... 6
1.5 Competition timeline ........................................................................................................................... 6
2 Competition organization................................................................................................................ 7
2.1 Overall event management .................................................................................................................. 7
2.2 Host Member ...................................................................................................................................... 7
2.3 Competition Organizer ........................................................................................................................ 7
3 Skill competitions to be hosted ....................................................................................................... 9
3.1 Guiding Principles ................................................................................................................................ 9
3.2 Selection of skill competitions for a WorldSkills Competition ............................................................. 12
3.3 Exhibition Skills .................................................................................................................................. 12
3.4 Types of skills..................................................................................................................................... 13
3.5 Introduction of a new skill competition .............................................................................................. 14
3.6 Competitions of the future Advisory Group ....................................................................................... 15
3.7 Removal of skill competitions ............................................................................................................. 15
4 Registration ..................................................................................................................................... 18
4.1 Registration ....................................................................................................................................... 18
5 Access and accreditation ................................................................................................................ 19
5.1 Obligations by Members .................................................................................................................... 19
5.2 Responsibilities .................................................................................................................................. 19
5.3 Access to the Competition venue ...................................................................................................... 19
5.4 Access to workshops ......................................................................................................................... 19
6 Roles ................................................................................................................................................ 21
6.1 Competitor (C) .................................................................................................................................. 21
6.2 Team Leader (TL) ............................................................................................................................... 22
6.3 Skill Management Team (SMT) .......................................................................................................... 22
6.4 Skill Competition Manager (SCM) ...................................................................................................... 23
6.5 Chief Expert (CE) ............................................................................................................................... 23
6.6 Expert Lead (EL) ................................................................................................................................. 26
6.7 Expert (E) ........................................................................................................................................... 27
6.8 Technical Delegate (TD) ..................................................................................................................... 30
6.9 Technical Delegate Assistant (TDA) .................................................................................................... 31
6.10 Official Delegate (OD) ........................................................................................................................ 31
6.11 Competitions Committee Delegate (CCD).......................................................................................... 32
6.12 Competitions Committee Delegate Lead (CCDL) ................................................................................ 32
6.13 Interpreter (I) ..................................................................................................................................... 32

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6.14 Workshop Manager (WM) ................................................................................................................. 33
6.15 Workshop Manager Assistant (WMA) ................................................................................................ 34
6.16 Workshop Sector Manager (WSM)..................................................................................................... 35
6.17 Observers and other positions ............................................................................................................ 35
6.18 Quality Auditor (QA) .......................................................................................................................... 37
6.19 Standards and Assessment Advisor (SAA) .......................................................................................... 37
6.20 Lead Skill Advisor ............................................................................................................................... 37
6.21 Skill Advisor (SA) ................................................................................................................................ 37
6.22 Chief Executive Officer (CEO) ............................................................................................................. 37
6.23 Director of Skills Competitions ........................................................................................................... 38
6.24 Board members responsible for Competitions Committee leadership ................................................. 38
6.25 Competitions Committee (CC) ........................................................................................................... 38
6.26 Competitions Committee Management Team (CCMT) ...................................................................... 38
6.27 Secretariat ......................................................................................................................................... 38
6.28 Audit teams for Health, Safety, and Environment .............................................................................. 38
7 Skill management ........................................................................................................................... 39
7.1 In the lead-up to the Competition ..................................................................................................... 39
7.2 At the Competition............................................................................................................................ 40
7.3 During the Competition ..................................................................................................................... 41
7.4 After the Competition ....................................................................................................................... 43
8 Technical Descriptions .................................................................................................................... 44
8.1 Content and scope ............................................................................................................................ 44
8.2 Precedence ........................................................................................................................................ 44
8.3 Availability ......................................................................................................................................... 44
8.4 Updating and validity ......................................................................................................................... 44
8.5 Skill-specific rules ............................................................................................................................... 45
9 Infrastructure Lists .......................................................................................................................... 46
9.1 Definition .......................................................................................................................................... 46
9.2 Development ..................................................................................................................................... 46
9.3 Publication......................................................................................................................................... 46
9.4 Supply of materials and equipment.................................................................................................... 46
9.5 Missing items..................................................................................................................................... 47
9.6 Substitute/additional materials ........................................................................................................... 47
9.7 Competitor’s personal tools ............................................................................................................... 47
10 Test Projects .................................................................................................................................... 49
10.1 Definition .......................................................................................................................................... 49
10.2 Duration and scope ........................................................................................................................... 49
10.3 Materials and equipment used ........................................................................................................... 49
10.4 Format ............................................................................................................................................... 49
10.5 Third-party involvement ..................................................................................................................... 49
10.6 Quality assurance and control ............................................................................................................ 50
10.7 Timetable and personnel.................................................................................................................... 50
10.8 Selection ............................................................................................................................................ 51

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3 of 9910.9 Confidentiality ................................................................................................................................... 51
10.10 Circulated and uncirculated Test Projects ........................................................................................... 52
10.11 Competitor briefing on Test Project and assessment .......................................................................... 53
10.12 Translation......................................................................................................................................... 54
10.13 Sharing intellectual property .............................................................................................................. 54
10.14 Security of completed Test Projects .................................................................................................... 54
10.15 Ownership of completed Test Projects ............................................................................................... 54
10.16 Summary of Expert participation in Test Project preparation and assessment ..................................... 55
11 Assessment and Marking ............................................................................................................... 56
11.1 About 56
11.2 WorldSkills Occupational Standard .................................................................................................... 56
11.3 Assessment methods ......................................................................................................................... 56
11.4 Assessment training ........................................................................................................................... 57
11.5 Marking Scheme................................................................................................................................ 57
11.6 Assessment and marking procedures ................................................................................................. 58
11.7 Finalization of marks .......................................................................................................................... 61
11.8 Security of completed Test Projects .................................................................................................... 62
11.9 Publication of results.......................................................................................................................... 62
11.10 Medals and awards............................................................................................................................ 63
12 Issue and Dispute Resolution ........................................................................................................ 65
12.1 Policies and rules hierarchy ................................................................................................................ 65
12.2 Definition of key terms ...................................................................................................................... 65
12.3 Principles ........................................................................................................................................... 66
12.4 Process .............................................................................................................................................. 68
12.5 Decision, communication, and timing ................................................................................................ 72
12.6 Penalties ............................................................................................................................................ 73
12.7 Appeal process and timing ................................................................................................................ 74
12.8 Record keeping and results ................................................................................................................ 75
12.9 Appointment of Ethics and Appeal Committees ................................................................................ 75
13 Communications ............................................................................................................................. 77
13.1 Competition Organizer ...................................................................................................................... 77
13.2 Member communications .................................................................................................................. 77
13.3 Filming and photography ................................................................................................................... 77
14 Health, Safety, and Environment .................................................................................................. 79
14.1 Competition Organizer ...................................................................................................................... 79
14.2 Members ........................................................................................................................................... 79
14.3 Technical Delegates ........................................................................................................................... 79
14.4 Experts .............................................................................................................................................. 80
14.5 Skill Management Team, Experts, and Workshop Manager................................................................ 80
14.6 WorldSkills Secretariat ....................................................................................................................... 80
14.7 Audit teams ....................................................................................................................................... 80
14.8 Sustainability ..................................................................................................................................... 80

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15 Pilot Projects.................................................................................................................................... 82
15.1 Definition and purpose ...................................................................................................................... 82
15.2 Using English-only in skill competitions .............................................................................................. 82
15.3 Test Project translation using AI ......................................................................................................... 83
Appendix 1 – Competition milestones and timeline ................................................................... 84
Revisions .......................................................................................................................................... 91

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1 Introduction
The WorldSkills Competition is the peak vocational skills competition for young people across theworld. Competitors qualify by achieving success in national and/or regional/continental skills
competitions. The competitions focus on the skills and capabilities of young people who have recently
entered, or are about to enter, a skilled profession.
These Competition Rules define the resolutions and rules for the organization and conduct of theWorldSkills Competition incorporating all skill competitions. They are updated by the Competitions
Committee and ratified by the General Assembly.
All Members and Participants must abide by the Competition Rules.

1.1 Definition of terms
Refer to www.worldskills.org/glossary.

1.2 Core values
The core values of WorldSkills International are diversity, excellence, fairness, innovation, integrity,
partnership, and transparency.
All accredited persons promote and support WorldSkills International’s values and principles laid out in
its Code of Ethics and Conduct and demonstrate their commitment by conducting themselves with thehighest levels of integrity, honesty, and fairness.

1.3 Disciplinary action
Any accredited person accused of dishonest conduct or who refuses to comply with regulations and/or
directions or who behaves in a manner prejudicial to the proper conduct of the Competition will be
subject to the procedures described in section 12.

1.4 Official Competition documentation
The documentation for the Competition includes the Code of Ethics and Conduct, Competition Rules,
the Health, Safety, and Environment Policy and Guideline, the Standards and Assessments Guide, theSkill Management Plan, the Technical Description, and the Infrastructure List for each skill.

1.5 Competition timeline
The preparations and execution of the WorldSkills Competition has many milestones which involve
various people and have a specific timeline. A summary of these milestones referred to in these Rules isin Appendix 1 – Competition milestones and timeline.

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2 Competition organization
2.1 Overall event management
The WorldSkills International (WSI) Board and the Organizing Committee are responsible for overallmanagement of the WorldSkills Competition event. Within this remit, they assign appropriate powers
and responsibilities to their respective CEOs.

2.1.1 Competition Management Team (administrative)
The WSI CEO and the respective WSI Directors (Director of Skills Competitions, Director of Marketing
and Communications, Director of Sponsorship and Partnership, Director of Event Operations) form theCompetition Management Team and are responsible for all aspects of the administrative managementof the Competition.

2.2 Host Member
2.2.1 Selection of the Competition Organizer
The execution of a WorldSkills Competition is assigned to a Member of WorldSkills International by adecision of the General Assembly following careful scrutiny of bids by the Board.
If the Host Member assigns the organization of the Competition to a national committee or any other
body, the Host Member’s responsibility towards WorldSkills International remains unchanged and allcontracts arising from this arrangement must be presented to the Board for inspection.

2.2.2 Responsibilities
The Host Member is responsible for organizing and hosting the Competition and for public relations
and publicity before and during the Competition.

2.2.3 Retention of rights
As the promoter, WorldSkills International retains all rights in respect of the Competition, including
approval of all communications (media, marketing, and public relations).

2.3 Competition Organizer
2.3.1 Provision of infrastructure
The Competition Organizer must provide optimal facilities and infrastructure for the Competition.
The Competition Organizer must provide a suitable workshop area and equipment for each skill
competition in accordance with the skill’s Technical Description and Infrastructure List. The concept forthis must be approved by the Board. See sections 8 and 9.
From C-9 months, the Competition Organizer must provide all Technical Delegates and Experts withdetailed information on current machines, equipment, and tools in the Infrastructure Lists inaccordance with the decisions of the Competitions Committee.
In addition to providing the Competition venue and workshops, these include:• A plenary meeting room for the General Assembly (also used by the Competitions Committee andStrategic Development Committee)• A meeting room for Official Delegates and Technical Delegates• A meeting room for Team Leaders• Offices equipped with technical equipment required by the Secretariat

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and Board members responsible for Strategic Development Committee leadership.
The detailed requirements are specified in the current Competition Event Manual.
The Competition Organizer must also meet the requirements of other official documents including theConstitution, the Standing Orders, the Code of Ethics and Conduct, and these Competition Rules.

2.3.2 Accreditation Packages
The Competition Organizer must draw up Accreditation Packages and present these to the Board forapproval before publication. Details must be made available to Members by C-12 months and must
include the cost per participant, including the cost of all excursions and receptions.
All Members and their guests must be accepted as participants without restriction, provided that all
invoiced costs are duly paid in full. Specific details of Accreditation Packages are provided in thecurrent Competition Event Manual.

2.3.3 Competition Programme
In conjunction with and managed by the WSI CEO, the Competition Organizer must prepare an overall
Competition Programme that includes arrangements for accommodation and board for allparticipants. In particular, the precise procedures for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies andFarewell Party must be approved by the Board by C-6 months.

2.3.4 Health, Safety, and Environment
See section 14.1.

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3 Skill competitions to be hosted
Section 3 is under review and improvement based on the strategic project “Competitions of
the Future”. This version can be used for guidance and reference, but the policy and rules forskill competitions that will be hosted in the future (WSC2026 and beyond) will be based on
the outcomes and GA-approved “Competitions of the Future”.

3.1 Guiding Principles
3.1.1 Introduction: what is a “skill”?
A “skill” is a piece of expertise normally gained by acquiring the knowledge, skills, and behaviours
associated with a particular occupation. “Skill competition” refers to a WorldSkills skill competition,
which is based on one or more occupations for which there is a benchmark, description, or standard.
The skill competitions are referenced to occupations, since these are internationally understood,
associated with a career, and have longevity.

3.1.2 The role and purpose of the WorldSkills Competition
The WorldSkills Competition sits at the top of vocational skills competitions for young people acrossthe world. Participation is normally based on success in national and/or regional/continental skills
competitions. Competitions selected for the WorldSkills Competition should reflect their value to theoccupations that most benefit from the exceptional performance of well-prepared and talented young
people. In this way the WorldSkills Competition contributes to the collective and individual wellbeingof societies and economies worldwide.

3.1.3 The vocational context
The WorldSkills Competition has spanned decades in which labour markets, economies, and societies
have moved from stability to dynamism, predictability to instability. New technologies present
multifaceted challenges to both the nature of work, and preparation for working futures. Therefore,
the WorldSkills Competition now requires a flexible, responsive, intelligence-led approach to theselection and organization of its skill competitions.
Overarching principles to underpin such an approach are:• mobility: to support the mobility of people and skills for access, sustainability, transfer, andprogression in work and life. Occupationally this involves “reading across” occupations, andsupporting the creation of occupational route maps;• connectivity: actively and precisely to support the development of Members’ vocational educationand training systems (VET) in relation to their economies, labour markets, and societies; and• optimization: to move from a competition portfolio based on history, supply, and pragmatism, to a
dynamic relationship with large global occupational and social trends.

3.1.4 Vocational trends
Occupational and social trends are challenging current assumptions and approaches to vocational
education and training. These include:••••

the expansion of skills development into and across higher levels of education,
greater diversity and richness in skills development,a wider sense of ownership and concern, anda stronger appreciation and understanding of skills development.

These trends are already seen within the WorldSkills Competition and should be directly reflected in
the selection and organization of the skill competitions.

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3.1.5 Membership diversity and representation
The rapid growth of the WorldSkills Membership has created• a more rounded and authentic view of the world’s vocational development;• a more informed approach to the selection and organization of skill competitions; and• a greater responsibility to accommodate divergent interests and needs, within an accessible
competition structure and a representative selection of skill competitions.
In accordance with the principle that where access and excellence collide, excellence comes first, thereis scope to include skill competitions that reflect the strengths of developing economies as well as
those of developed ones.

3.1.6 The case for change
In a dynamic context, demand should be joined by additional criteria in order to decide whether a skill
competition should continue. Space must be found to enable innovation to occur. WorldSkills has
several additional quality control and assurance measures, which should more actively be used todetermine whether and how each skill competition should continue to be offered:••••distinctness,labour market relevance, value, and trends,
competition quality performance indicators, andinternal management performance.

The use of these additional criteria should ensure a sustainably excellent offer to Members and wider
beneficiaries.
High demand, which may suggest relevance and value, may also indicate fewer positive factors, suchas a lack of alternatives, or a bottleneck, each of which need to be addressed in an informed manner.
Some skill competitions have universal appeal and very wide occupational spread. A skill competition
with excess demand should be reviewed for its potential evolution. In relation to excess provision more
broadly, where capping or other limitations are needed, the criteria of proportionality, access, balance,and range, should be applied to each and all of the skill competitions portfolio, its priorities, andregistrations.

3.1.7 Competition classifications
The WorldSkills skill competitions classification is based on the following aggregated occupational
sectors:
•
•
•
•
•
•

Construction and Building Technology
Creative Arts and Fashion
Information and Communication Technology
Manufacturing and Engineering Technology
Social and Personal Services
Transportation and Logistics.

These have the virtue of being easily understood for many audiences and users, but are currently
neither comprehensive nor balanced within the skill competitions portfolio. They do not chart
movement within sectors, which is a key consideration for the future decision-making of WorldSkills.
Therefore, for management purposes, one or more additional classifications should also be used, andthe International Labour Organization’s top-level classification shall be introduced:••••

professionals
technicians and associate professionals
clerical support workers
service and sales workers

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10 of 99• skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery workers• craft and related trade workers.
This classification already offers useful intelligence for skill competition management.

3.1.8 Transversal skills
Since 2013, each skill competition has included these transversal skills, which follow the OECD’sguidelines:• work organization and (self) management,• (information,) communication, and interpersonal skills, and• problem solving, innovation, and creativity.
With added emphasis on the bracketed words above, these appear to underpin performance very well,including by differentiating competence and excellence. Differentiation is a defining element of any
skill competition. For skill competitions, the differentiators pegged to excellence are the provencapacity to be autonomous, take responsibility, and cope with complexity above and beyond therequirements of the role at the time. These are also transversal skills that will have an increasing impact
on the design and implementation of the skill competitions.

3.1.9 Competitor’s eligibility
Positively, the sole eligibility criterion for Competitors is age. A key purpose of the WorldSkills
Competition is to give Members and others feedback about the efficiency and effectiveness of their
VET systems and practices. A participant’s recent experience influences performance; therefore, as aprinciple, the eligibility of Competitors should be pegged to within two years of leaving initial VET. This
endorses the limitation of 22 years for occupations that fall under the last four headings of the secondclassification in section 3.1.7 above. However, for professional, technician, and associate professionalroles, with longer initial VET, 25 years may be more appropriate. This is borne out by recent discussions
and decisions.

3.1.10 Principles of Competition Management
Creating and sustaining a dynamic and inspirational relationship with socio-economic change, throughthe skill competition portfolio, will be challenging. However, for historical and structural reasons, thecurrent offer is sub-optimal and needs to be replaced by well-informed, multi-layered, and multidirectional leadership and management, as befits an organization with many Members and Partners, inthe Information Age.
As with other elements of competition management, oversight of the skill competition portfolio
should be multi-layered:• strategic leadership: for purpose, resources, scope and range, communication, and promotion• sectoral and cross-sectoral management: to chart the rise, decline, and movement of skills acrossoccupations, and reflect these through skill competitions• skill-specific management: to activate and apply criteria for introduction, development, reform, andremovalThe most valuable resources, data, and intelligence should be generated and shared, as a basis forrationale, communication, and coordination. A rolling five-year timeframe and outline, with a threeyear operational plan including flexible measures for removing and introducing skill competitions,would be an essential condition for Member and Partner engagement and support.
The current entry route for skill competitions that depends on Member initiative is helpful but
insufficient for the challenge to better reflect young people’s life and work opportunities. Flexible entry
routes for new skill competitions should be encouraged, including from Members, industry andbusiness, and partners, subject to• proof of concept (that the proposal has occupational authenticity and value)

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11 of 99• proof of potential or actual demand• safeguards (including against conflicts of interest or inappropriate restrictions), and• willingness to work with WSI in order to achieve the highest possible quality of competition.
Informally, this approach has already emerged, for practical reasons.

3.1.11 Skill competitions with no nominated CE and/or appointed SCM
Skill competitions with no nominated CE and/or appointment of an SCM cannot be offered forregistration.
For new skill competitions, the Competitions Committee Management Team appoints the CE in
consultation with the registered Members for that skill competition.

3.2 Selection of skill competitions for a WorldSkills
Competition
The total number of skill competitions at a WorldSkills Competition is determined by the application of
the aforementioned principles and processes in section 0 to ensure that the skill competitions reflect
the WorldSkills mission and competition goals and represent the skill needs of the global economy.
Members must be aware that no commitment should be made to any Competitor before Provisional
Registration and the subsequent announcement of which skill competitions will be hosted at theWorldSkills Competition. Members should not select their Competitors until after this date.
The actual number of skill competitions that are hosted at a WorldSkills Competition is dependent
upon the total available space, the required space per skill competition, and the number ofCompetitors per skill competition. Therefore, the selection of skill competitions is determined by aprioritized listing of the skill competitions into the available space.
The selection of the skill competitions for a WorldSkills Competition is made by the Board members
responsible for Competitions Committee leadership, WorldSkills International’s CEO, the Director of
Skills Competitions, and the Competition Organizer’s Technical Director, at Provisional Registration.
Provisional Registration is 12 calendar months before the Opening Ceremony.
All Members are to be advised of the final selection of skill competitions within one week ofProvisional Registration.

3.2.1 Selection order
The selection of skill competitions for a WorldSkills Competition (based on Provisional Registrations) isin the following order.
1. All Official Skills with required registrations or more depending on the number of years as Official
Skill (Official Team Skills with nine or more registrations)
2. All new Official Skills
3. Third year or later Official Skills with 12 or 13 registrations – final decision by Competition
Organizer as per section 3.7
4. Exhibition Skills

3.3 Exhibition Skills
The Competition Organizer, at its own cost, and in agreement and partnership with WorldSkills
International, may present or showcase a new aspect of a skill competition or a possible new skill
competition in the form of an exhibition.

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This exhibition may include the demonstrator’s work, either in complete form, or work in progress.
This exhibition of work shall not be regarded as having any competitive status and WorldSkills
International cannot award any official medal or certificate as a form of recognition. The Competition
Organizer may, however, acknowledge demonstrators with certificates, provided they are approved byWorldSkills International.

3.4 Types of skills
Skill

Minimum
Competitors/
Teams

Official

6, 9, 14✓

Official Team6, 9

Exhibition

n/a

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Competition
Rules

MedalsFinalMemberResults

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

CIS

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3.5 Introduction of a new skill competition
Members and Global Partners may propose new skill competitions by presenting them to theCompetitions Committee. If the proposed skill competition meets the criteria, it shall be offered forregistration as an Official Skill.

3.5.1 Rules and guidelines for the introduction of a new Official Skill
The following rules and guidelines apply to Members and Partners proposing a new Official Skill.

Step 1At the Competitions Committee meeting approximately two years before the Competition, Members,
and Partners will be invited to propose new Official Skills.

Step 2
Members and Partners will be invited to submit their proposals to WorldSkills International at C-20
months.

Step 3The “Competitions of the future Advisory Group” will select the strongest proposals based on the
Guiding Principles (see section 0). Once the decision is made, all proposing Members and Partners will
be notified of the decisions and the successful proposals will be circulated to all Members.

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Step 4
At C-19 months the Members and Partners proposing the successful new skill competition proposals
will be invited to give a five-minute (maximum) presentation at a videoconference Q&A session. This
presentation should include certain information – contact the Director of Skills Competitions for thetemplate. WorldSkills International will facilitate this with all interested Members.

Step 5The proposed new skill competitions will be offered for Pre-Provisional Registration along with all
Official Skills at C-15 months.

Step 6WorldSkills International announces the skills to be hosted based on the required number ofregistrations (see section 3.4).

3.5.2 Documentation
The Technical Description should be based on the WorldSkills International Technical Description
template – available from the website or Skills Competitions Administration Manager.
WorldSkills International will manage the Technical Description and associated documentation after
the skill competition is accepted as an Official Skill.

3.5.3 Points to consider
New skill competitions must have been conducted in a national or regional competition before
entering the WorldSkills Competition, in some instances this may take place following their acceptanceas a potential new skill competition.
The template for the presentation requires information on:• metrics and substantiation of the skill competition’s representation and importance in the global
economy,• WorldSkills Occupational Standards for the skill competition,• space requirements for six Competitors and other workshop space requirements plus the spacerequirement for each additional Competitor,• infrastructure requirements, and• competition format.
In line with the sustainability and cost management needs of the WorldSkills Competition, WorldSkills
International and the Competition Organizer will have the final decision on whether a new skill
competition can be hosted if it requires excessive space and/or infrastructure.

3.6 Competitions of the future Advisory GroupThe “Competitions of the future Advisory Group” regularly reviews the Guiding Principles and decides
on the skills in and skills out for each WorldSkills Competition, to ensure that they inject dynamism
into the skill competitions portfolio, so that it keeps pace with global business and industrial bestpractice, and evolving labour market requirements, while incorporating new and emerging skills
alongside core and long-established skills.

3.7 Removal of skill competitions
The status of a skill competition is from Provisional Registration to the next Provisional Registration.
Skill competitions that are removed immediately as an Official Skill, due to lack of participation, will
still be listed on the website until the next Provisional Registration

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Status fromprevious skill
competition

Provisional
Registration

ActualCompetitors

Actionon notice

13 or fewer-

Removed immediately as Official Skill.

(8 or fewer forteam skills)

on notice

May be hosted at the Competition
Organizer’s discretion if less than therequired minimum by one or two
registrations.

14 or more

13 or fewer(9 or more forteam skills)(8 or fewer forteam skills)

Because the skill competition had 14
or more at Provisional Registration it
will be hosted at the WorldSkills
Competition.
But because it will be conducted with
13 or fewer it will be removed as an
Official Skill for the following
WorldSkills Competition.

on notice

14 or more

14 or more

(9 or more forteam skills)(9 or more forteam skills)

Maintains Official Skill status.

When an Official Skill fails to meet the required minimum number of registrations by one or two, thenit can still be conducted. If the skill competition is conducted with one or two fewer Competitors thanis required at Provisional Registration, then it goes “on notice”, and registrations must equal or exceed
the minimum registrations at the next WorldSkills Competition for it to stay as an Official Skill. Skill
competitions that are conducted with fewer than a certain number of Competitors are removed fromthe Official Skill list immediately.

3.7.1 Official Skill – first time at WorldSkills Competition
Where a skill competition is regarded as an Official Skill for the first time, it must have a minimum of
six Members registered at Provisional Registration.

3.7.2 Official Skill – second time at Competition
Where a skill competition is regarded as an Official Skill for the second time, it must have a minimumof nine Members registered at Provisional Registration.

3.7.3 Official Skill – third or more times at Competition
Where a skill competition has been established as an Official Skill for more than two WorldSkills
Competitions, a minimum of 14 Members must register at Provisional Registration.
If there are 12 or 13 registrations the skill competition may be conducted but the final decision is up to
the Competition Organizer. This decision shall be made at Provisional Registration. If the skill
competition in question is “on notice” from the previous WorldSkills Competition, then it is notselected and removed immediately from the list of Official Skills.
If the Official Skill is conducted with 12 or 13 Competitors, it is “on notice” for the following
WorldSkills Competition.

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If the Official Skill that is conducted has 11 or fewer Competitors at the WorldSkills Competition, it isremoved immediately from the list of Official Skills.

3.7.4 Team skills
Where a team skill competition is regarded as an Official Skill for the first time, it must have aminimum of six Members registered at Provisional Registration.
Where a team skill competition is regarded as an Official Skill for the second time or more, it requires aminimum of nine Members registered at Provisional Registration.

3.7.5 Competition Organizer provision and discretion
These rules about minimum numbers of Competitors per skill competition will not apply if theCompetition Organizer is already contractually bound to run the skill competition concerned. Any third
cycle or later Official Skill with 12 or 13 registrations at Provisional Registration, may be conducted, but
the final decision is up to the Competition Organizer.

3.7.6 Skills on notice
Skills will go “on notice” or be removed from the list of skill competitions to be offered for registration
for the following WorldSkills Competition if skill competitions are conducted with fewer than 14
registrations.
Any Official Skill that is hosted when “on notice”, must have 14 or more registrations at Provisional
Registration for the next WorldSkills Competition in order for it to be conducted, and must continue tomeet minimum requirements for all subsequent WorldSkills Competitions or it will be removed as an
Official Skill. In other words, it can only be “on notice” once. If Competition Organizers’ contracts arejeopardized, due to this, then it can be hosted after all remaining new Official Skills are hosted.

3.7.7 Reintroduction of a skill competition
Any Member or Partner proposing to reintroduce an Official Skill that failed to obtain the required
support at the previous WorldSkills Competition must:• circulate a Technical Description incorporating the latest technological advances 18 months before
the WorldSkills Competition, and• have 14 Members registered at Provisional Registration.

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4 Registration
4.1 Registration
Registration for the Competition is completed in five stages.

Stage 1 – Provisional Registration
Members register for participation in their selected skill competitions via the WorldSkills International
website (www.worldskills.org/registration). The deadline is C-12 months.
Members must provisionally register• The skill competitions they are entering• All participants, that is: Competitors, Experts, Official Delegate, Technical Delegate, TechnicalDelegate Assistants, CEO of National Skills Organization, Team Leaders, Official Observers,
Observers, Interpreters, Communications Officers, Member Organization Support personnel, andMember Observers.
Registrations can be viewed online.
Members must be aware that no commitment should be made to any Competitor before the close ofProvisional Registration (at C-12 months) and the subsequent announcement of which skill
competitions will be hosted at the Competition within one week. Members should not select theirCompetitors until after this date.

Stage 2 – Registration of Experts and Technical Delegates
Full details of Experts and Technical Delegates must be provided by C-9 months (to ensure
participation in skill competition development and preparation, such as Discussion Forums).

Stage 3 – Updates to Provisional Registration
Members may update their registrations during the period between Provisional Registration andDefinitive Registration (Stage 4, C-4 months).
The Secretariat and Competition Organizer are automatically advised of all updates.

Stage 4 – Definitive Registration of skill competitions
By C-4 months, Members must finalize their registrations, that is, the skill competitions they will
participate in. No further changes may be made without the permission of the Competition Organizer
and the WorldSkills International Director of Skills Competitions.
For WSC2024 Definitive Registration will be 1 May 2024 (10 days less then C-4 months).
Full details of Interpreters must be provided by C-4 months.

Stage 5 – Registering Participant Details
The Member shall provide the full name, email address, and photograph for each participant requiring
accreditation via the WorldSkills International website (www.worldskills.org/registration).
Full details of Competitors, Team Leaders, Official Delegates, and Official Observers (as shown underStage 3) must be provided by C-2 months. Failure to do so will mean that participant details are notincluded in printed materials and signage. Members are directly responsible for forwarding correctspelling, formatting, and capitalization of participants’ names.
Other participant details must be provided as required for the Competition Organizer’s accreditation
packages.

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5 Access and accreditation
5.1 Obligations by Members
There are two obligations for Members prior to accreditation for a WorldSkills Competition:
1. All outstanding monies for Competition packages for the full Member delegation must be paid to
the Competition Organizer.
2. Members must provide the Secretariat with confirmation that all insurances that are their
responsibility are in place. The CEO will call for these official letters at approximately C-2 months.

5.2 Responsibilities
The Competition Organizer is responsible for providing accreditation. The Competition Organizer andthe Secretariat work together to determine the technical and logistical requirements of theaccreditation system.
WorldSkills International is responsible for defining access and approving accreditation to the skill
competitions and the Competition venue.
The Competition Organizer is responsible for defining access and approving accreditation related to
the Accreditation Packages.

5.3 Access to the Competition venue
Access to the Competition venue before the Competition is generally prohibited to Observers, media,
and the general public before C1 and after C4. Special access to Observers and media may be
granted on a case-by-case basis by the WSI CEO, Director of Skills Competitions, or Director ofMarketing and Communication.

5.4 Access to workshops
Only people with official accreditation are permitted access to workshops. Skill Competition Managers,
Experts, Workshop Managers, Workshop Manager Assistants, Interpreters, and Technical Observers
may only access the workshop for which they are accredited.

5.4.1 Access at any time
The following persons have access to the workshops at any time:
•
•
•
•
•
•

Members of the Board
Official and Technical Delegates
Secretariat and Competition Support staff
Skill Advisors
Independent Quality Auditor
Standards and Assessment Advisor

However, they are not permitted to contact compatriot Competitors unless accompanied by a Skill
Competition Manager, Chief Expert, or an Expert from another Member.

5.4.2 Access under specific circumstances
The following persons have access to the workshops under specific circumstances, but must introduce
themselves to a member of the Skill Management Team on their first visit to the workshop:• Team Leaders may have access to all workshops in which they have compatriot Competitors at any
time and may contact their Competitors directly• Technical Delegate Assistants may only enter skill competition workshops in which they have an
Expert and/or Competitor.

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Access to the workshops by the following persons is to be accredited on a case-by-case basis by the
WSI CEO or WSI Director of Skills Competitions:• Competition Organizer staff and volunteers• Future Competition Organizer Observers• Equipment supplier technicians (under unforeseen circumstances)
Official Observers, Observers, and their Interpreters are not permitted access to the workshops or to
the Skill Management meetings.

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6 Roles
6.1 Competitor (C)6.1.1 Number of Competitors
Each Member may enter one Competitor – or, in the case of team skill competitions, the defined
number of Competitors – per skill competition.
Team skill competitions are Manufacturing Team Challenge (3), Mechatronics (2), Mobile Robotics (2),Landscape Gardening (2), Concrete Construction Work (2), Cyber Security (2), Industry 4.0 (2), andRobot Systems Integration (2).

6.1.2 Age limit
For most skill competitions, Competitors must not be older than 22 years in the calendar year of theCompetition. Current exceptions to this rule are:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

•
•
•
•
•
•

Additive Manufacturing
Aircraft MaintenanceDigital Construction
Cloud Computing
Cyber Security
Industrial Design Technology
Industry 4.0

Information Network Cabling
Mechatronics
Manufacturing Team Challenge
Optoelectronic Technology
Robot Systems Integration
Water Technology

where Competitors must not be older than 25 years in the year of the Competition.
Any other exceptions must be requested and justified by the Experts, agreed by the Competitions
Committee, and ratified by the General Assembly at its meeting at C-12 months. Contact the Directorof Skills Competitions for details of the process.

6.1.3 Compete once only
A Competitor is limited to competing in one Official Skill at one WorldSkills Competition. Competitors
cannot compete in a different skill at a subsequent WorldSkills Competition.
Exceptional circumstances may be considered by the Board.

6.1.4 Competitors with disabilities
WorldSkills International promotes cooperation with the International Abilympics Federation.
• Competitors with disabilities may participate in the Competition if their disability does not prevent
them from carrying out Test Projects within the set time. Additional time may be provided for work
preparation and installation of the workplace.
• Their Test Projects are assessed in accordance with WorldSkills International guidelines.
• Exceptions to the maximum age limit are recommended by the Competitions Committee andsubject to ratification by the General Assembly at its meeting at C-12 months.
• In parallel to the WorldSkills Competition – the Competition Organizer may conduct a competition
for Competitors with disabilities using separate guidelines. In this case, Test Projects are assessedusing separately defined criteria, and awards are presented at the official Closing Ceremony
following presentation of the WorldSkills International awards.

6.1.5 Duty of Care
All Competitors must be accompanied by an Expert.

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Exceptions to this rule may be considered by the Competitions Committee Management Team.
See section 7.1.1.

6.2 Team Leader (TL)
6.2.1 Definition
Each Member selects Team Leaders to liaise with the Competitors during the Competition. The keyrole of the Team Leaders is to look after the mental and physical well-being, discipline, and behaviourof their Competitors who are away from home and under considerable stress.
Members may decide whether their Team Leaders are assigned to specific skills or share responsibility
for all their compatriot Competitors.

6.2.2 Number
Each Member team may have two Team Leaders regardless of the size of their team.
Teams with more than 20 Competitors may have three Team Leaders.
Teams with more than 30 Competitors may have four Team Leaders.

6.2.3 Access
During the Competition, Team Leaders must request to have access to their Competitor(s) in therespective workshops from a member of the Skill Management Team prior to entry. No exchange oftechnical information or any information related to the competition task, assessment, and possible
solutions is permitted.

6.2.4 Illness or accident
Team Leader(s) must be notified immediately in the event of an accident or illness involving any
Competitor from their team. The Team Leader and the compatriot Expert are to inform the Official
Delegate and Technical Delegate.

6.3 Skill Management Team (SMT)
Each skill competition has an SMT responsible for its management. It comprises the Skill Competition
Manager (SCM), Chief Expert (CE), and two or more Expert Leads (EL). Each member of the SMT shallbe from a different country/region where possible.

6.3.1 Responsibilities
The Skill Management Team is responsible for the proper preparation and conduct of the skill
competition, for compliance with Competition Rules, and for implementing its own decisions andthose of the Competitions Committee.

6.3.2 Skill Management Plan
The Skill Management Team prepares a Skill Management Plan that details the planning, scheduling,
and tasks required to conduct the competition from “before the Competition” right through until“Competition completion”. Skill Management Plans are prepared using the online tool at
https://skill-management.worldskills.org.

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6.4 Skill Competition Manager (SCM)
A Skill Competition Manager is a person who has served as a Chief Expert, Deputy Chief Expert (priorto WSC2024), Expert Lead, or Expert at least two times in the skill competition to which they areappointed. The Skill Competition Manager is responsible for providing management, guidance, andleadership during the development and conduct of the skill competition from C-21 months to C+1
month. During this time, the SCM works with the Competition Organizer and the Director of Skills
Competitions. The SCM is a member of the Skill Management Team.

6.4.1 Appointment
The SCM is appointed by WorldSkills for the next Competition through an expression of interest andan application process immediately following a Competition, with the appointment confirmed by C+3
months. The SCM is a neutral person with no alliance to a Member organization with regard totechnical training of a Competitor/Team competing at the forthcoming Competition. The appointment
is for one Competition cycle only.

6.4.2 Qualifications, experience, personal qualities, and ethical criteria
A Skill Competition Manager must meet the following criteria:• Have a proven track record as a Chief Expert, Deputy Chief Expert (prior to WSC2024), Expert
Lead, or Expert for at least two Competitions in the skill competition to which they are appointed• Be highly competent and experienced in the skill in which they are appointed• Have advanced knowledge, understanding, and expertise in standards and assessment in vocational
education and training (VET) and/or in relevant industry sector(s)• Have good communication skills in both written and spoken English, however SCMs requiring
Interpreters will be considered• Have good management and leadership skills• Have good interpersonal relationship skills• Be a person of the highest integrity

6.4.3 Contact with national organization and Competitors
Skill Competition Managers can participate in all activities with their national organization until theannouncement of the Competitors (or squad), or C-12 months, for the forthcoming WorldSkills
Competition whichever comes first. At that point, the Skill Competition Manager must cease all skillspecific training of the Competitor or squad.
Participation in team building and team development – such as developing mental attitude, physicalactivities to bring the team closer together, and presentations by sports psychologists and nutritionists– is permitted.
Skill Competition Managers may remain on committees and boards for their national organization andmay participate in judging at provincial and/or state competitions for the following round ofcompetitions. They may also participate in regional competitions held up to 12 months prior to theWorldSkills Competition.
Skill Competition Managers invited to assist in skill-specific training of Competitors for other nationalorganizations should decline the invitation after the announcement of the Competitors (orsquad) for the WorldSkills Competition, or C-12 months, whichever comes first. The same applies
if they are invited to judge at a national or regional competition in a different country/region.

6.5 Chief Expert (CE)The Chief Expert is the Expert responsible for providing management, guidance, and leadership for askill competition. The CE is a member of the Skill Management Team.

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In particular, the CE ensures that a competition environment is created which allows each Competitor
to produce the best possible work over the four days of competition and plays a crucial role inmanaging the Experts’ preparation, execution, assessment and marking. The CE is ultimately
responsible for the integrity and safety of the skill competition and for ensuring compliance with all
pertinent rules, procedures, and assessment practices.

6.5.1 Qualifications, experience, personal qualities, and ethical criteria
In addition to the requirements for Experts (see section 0), a Chief Expert must meet the following
criteria:• Have good communication skills in both written and spoken English• Have been an Expert for at least one previous Competition• Have advanced knowledge, understanding, and expertise in standards and assessment in vocational
education and training (VET) and/or in relevant industry sector(s)• Be highly competent and experienced in the relevant work role(s) or occupation(s)• Have good management and leadership skills• Have good interpersonal relationship skills• Be capable of using a computer and communicating via the Internet – including to facilitate theDiscussion Forum for their skill and for their work in partnership with the Director of Skills
Competitions• Communicate with and respond to WorldSkills International between Competitions• Be of the highest integrity – be honest, objective and fair, and prepared to cooperate with others
as required
See also section 6.7.2.

6.5.2 Majority decision of Experts
Decisions involving the skill competition are preferably made by a unanimous decision of the Experts. If
the Experts are unable to reach a unanimous decision within a reasonable time, the Chief Expert puts
the matter to a vote. A simple majority (50% of the Experts present plus one) will stand as the final
decision. Absent Experts must be informed of the decision but are unable to change the decision.
Decisions are to be recorded by the Skill Competition Manager or Chief Expert using the Decisions,
Actions, and/or Agreement form located at http://skill-management.worldskills.org

6.5.3 Contact with Competitions Committee
Chief Experts may have direct contact with the Board members responsible for Competitions
Committee leadership or Director of Skills Competitions on matters relating to the preparation andorganization of their skill competition. They may be asked to attend Competitions Committee and/or
Skill Management meetings.

6.5.4 External support not permitted
The Chief Expert is not permitted to enlist the support of an external person or a former Chief Expert
or Expert to assist in any aspect of the Competition except when the Test Project is designed by a third
party (see section 10.5).

6.5.5 Nomination, election, and approval
At C-2 months, the Director of Skills Competition informs the Technical Delegates and Experts who iseligible to stand for the Skill Management Team.
Those eligible are asked to confirm to the Director of Skills Competitions their willingness to nominate.
This preliminary list of nominations is posted on the Expert Centre before the Competition for
consideration by all Experts.

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The Skill Competition Manager presides over the election process.
At the Competition, Skill Competition Manager again checks which eligible Experts are willing stand.
Any Experts who indicate that they no longer wish to stand are removed from the list and thoseExperts who now wish to stand are added to the nominations. This process must be completed by
18:00 on C4 and nominations are locked.
The election commences immediately on locking and ends by 12:00 on C+1. Experts log in to theExpert Centre and vote for three Experts in their order of preference. The application allocates threepoints to the first choice, two points to the second choice, and one point to the third choice. The Skill
Competition Manager does not vote.
At 12:00 on C+1, or earlier if all Experts have voted, the Skill Competition Manager locks theapplication and the results are generated. Experts must log back into the application and digitally sign
the results to approve the nomination. (Exceptions to this schedule must have been agreed previouslywith the Board members responsible for Competitions Committee leadership.)
The Skill Competition Manager submits their recommendations regarding the CE and all reserves tothe Director of Skills Competitions at the Competition before leaving the Competition venue.
Note: This election is only in respect of the nomination of the Skill Management Team and theirreserves. The Expert receiving the highest number of points will be nominated Chief Expert.
The nominated CE must then be• Recommended by the Skill Competition Manager• Supported by their Member organization, and• Approved by the Board members responsible for Competitions Committee leadership.
By C+2 months, the Director of Skills Competitions advises the compatriot Technical Delegate andseeks provisional support. This ensures continuity of development and communication between
Competitions.
Six weeks before the Competitions Committee meeting held about C-12 months, WorldSkills
International seeks support from the Technical Delegate (copy to Official Delegate) of the Member
Organization for their Expert(s) to be designated CE.
If supported by the Member Organization and also approved by the Board members responsible forCompetitions Committee leadership, the CE is appointed. A list of all approved CEs is published before
the Competitions Committee meeting at C-12 months.
Time

Process

C-2 months• Director of Skills Competitions informs the Technical Delegates andExperts who is eligible to stand for the SMT.
• Eligible persons requested to confirm willingness to nominate.
• List of nominations posted on Expert Centre.

At Competition• Skill Competition Manager checks eligible Experts willing to stand andcalls for further volunteers and updates list accordingly.

18:00
C4

• Nomination process completed and locked.
• Election process starts immediately.
• Experts log into Expert Centre and vote for three Experts in order ofpreference.

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Time

Process

By 14:00
C+1• Election process completed.
• Skill Competition Manager generates results.
• Experts log into Expert Centre and digitally sign results.1

Before leaving
Competition
venue• Skill Competition Manager submits CE recommendations to the Directorof Skills Competitions.

By C+2 months• Director of Skills Competitions advises compatriot Technical Delegate
and seeks provisional support.

About C-12
months• WSl seeks support from the Technical Delegate (copy to Official
Delegate) of the Member Organization for their Expert(s) to be
designated CE.
• If supported by the Member Organization and also approved by the
Board members responsible for Competitions Committee leadership, theCE is appointed.
• A list of all approved CEs is published before the Competitions
Committee meeting at C-12 months.

6.6 Expert Lead (EL)6.6.1 Definition
The EL is an Expert responsible for supporting the Chief Expert in the preparation and execution of askill competition. The EL is a member of the Skill Management Team.

6.6.2 Number
The SMT will include SCM, CE, and minimum of two Expert Leads depending on the number ofregistrations in the skill.
Skill competitions with 30 or fewer registrations are required to have two Expert Leads.
Skill competitions with 31 to 40 registrations may optionally have one additional Expert Lead.
Skill competitions with 41 or more registrations may optionally have up to two additional Expert Leads.

6.6.3 Qualifications, experience, personal qualities, and ethical criteria
See section 6.5.1 for Chief Expert.

6.6.4 Responsibilities
An EL is assigned duties by the Skill Competition Manager and the Chief Expert and works as part of
the Skill Management Team. Their primary responsibility at the Competition is to support the ChiefExpert. Specific responsibilities are appointed to them according to the skill management roles andresponsibilities matrix.

1

Exceptions to this schedule must have been agreed previously with the Board members responsible for Competitions Committee leadership.

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An EL also ensures that all proposed changes to the Technical Description are complete, agreed to,signed by at least 80% of the Experts, and delivered to the Secretariat in digital form by 16:00 on
C+1.

6.6.5 Nomination and approval
Expert Leads are nominated by the Skill Competition Manager and Chief Expert at C-9 months.
Nominations are submitted to the Skills Competition Administration Manager who seeks support fromthe respective Member Organization. All approved Expert Leads are published on the website.

6.7 Expert (E)6.7.1 Definition
A person with experience in a skill, trade, or technology who is representing a Member in the skill
competition related to their particular expertise.

6.7.2 Qualifications and experience
Experts must:• Have a formal/recognized qualification with proven industrial and/or practical experience in the skill
in which they are accredited• Have proven knowledge, understanding, and expertise in standards and assessment in vocational
education and training (VET) and/or in relevant industry sector(s)• Have been an Expert/judge in their Member’s national/regional competition• Have endorsement from the Technical Delegate that the relevant industry organization or
educational institution in their country/region accepts their technical competence• Have relevant and current competition and/or judging experience• Know and abide by the Competition Rules, the Technical Description, and other official
Competition documentation• Possess the expertise mandated by the WorldSkills Professional Development Framework• Be of the highest integrity – they must be honest, objective and fair, and prepared to cooperatewith others as required• Working knowledge of the CIS, development of the Test Project and Marking Scheme, and theWorldSkills Occupational Standards.

6.7.3 Nomination and accreditation
Each Member may nominate one Expert for each skill competition for which they are registered. No
Member may have a second Expert in the workshop. An Expert must be affiliated to the Member towhich they are accredited. Experts’ names must be registered by their Member Organization on theWorldSkills International registration system at C-9 months.
If a Member has not registered the name of an Expert by C-9 months, involvement of that Expert inany aspect of preparation and assessment at the Competition is at the discretion of the Skill
Management Team. If the Skill Management Team does not sanction involvement in all or parts of
preparation and assessment, the Expert may observe the skill competition inside the workshop.

6.7.4 Mandatory training
The WorldSkills Access Programme reflects international good practice in training design andcomprises a mandatory element as well as a supplementary element for further learning. The total
estimated learning time is 20 hours.
Mandatory elements(to be completed by all new Experts and returning Experts who have who were not at the

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previous Competition. Experts who have completed the Access Programme and have had
continual participation in the WSC do not need to complete this again.):• General introduction• Ethics, conduct, wellbeing• Introduction to vocational assessment
Members must plan for their new Experts and those returning Experts who were not at the previous
Competition to complete the mandatory elements by C-4 months by completing the assessment
criteria. The assessment criteria are to be reviewed by Experts with experience of two or more
WorldSkills Competitions, followed by personal updating as required.
On request, Members must make the Experts’ records of achievement available to WorldSkills forreview.
Experts who have not completed the two mandatory modules of the WorldSkills Access Programme
remain accredited as Experts, but are not permitted to participate in the marking process. They havemodified duties that involve the running of the skill competition.
Supplementary elements (available from the Director of Skills Competitions):• An introduction to Global Vocational Standards• Introduction to WorldSkills Assessment: Design and Preparation• Introduction to WorldSkills Assessment: Organization, Practice, and Quality Assurance

6.7.5 Additional discretionary training
Within the WorldSkills Professional Development Framework, the Professional Recognition Programme
offers Experts, and Members more widely, a certificated, higher level, modular programme organizedaround the themes of••••

Leadership and Management
Global Vocational Standards
Vocational Assessment
Vocational Pedagogy

6.7.6 Responsibilities
Before the Competition
Before attending the Competition, the Expert must:• Complete their curriculum vitae (CV) (including qualifications, industry, and competition experience)in the template provided and submit to their Technical Delegate who will submit to WSI by C-6months. This is relevant for new Experts and those Experts whose CV was previously rejected only,
experienced Experts are not required to resubmit their CV.
• Access the Expert Centre on the website www.worldskills.org/expertcentre to view all relevant
documentation• Complete the online Expert generic and industry-specific test
• Review the Code of Ethics and Conduct and agree to abide by the Code by signing “WorldSkills
Code of Ethics and Conduct: Personal Undertaking”• Study the Competition Rules, the appropriate Health, Safety, and Environment Policy andGuideline, Standards and Assessments Guide, Skill Management Plan, Technical Description andthe Infrastructure List for each skill, and all other Official Competition documentation• Produce a proposed Test Project or module(s) as specified in the Technical Description (if required)• Prepare proposals for updating the Technical Description• Complete the necessary pre-Competition requirements as per these Competition Rules, theirTechnical Description, and all other Official Competition documentation

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At the Competition
At the Competition, the Experts must:• Before the Competition begins, where appropriate, assist the Chief Expert and Expert Lead to
finalize details of the Test Project, the Aspects of Sub Criteria to be used for assessment, and themarks to be allocated to each Aspect of Sub Criterion• Participate in Mandatory Assessment Training• Contribute to the update of the Technical Description (coordinated by the Skill Management Team)• Present their proposed Test Project or module(s) (if required)• Protect the confidentiality of the Test Project• Assist in making 30% change to the Test Project in the case of circulated Test Projects(see section 10.10.2)• Select the final Test Project (if required) and ensure it is translated into their compatriot
Competitor’s language of choice• Experts involved in marking teams must assess Competitors’ performance in an objective and fair
way following instructions from the Skill Management Team• Participate in the preparation and execution of the skill competition and in the development andselection of the Test Project for the following Competition, where applicable• Ensure that all Competitors are aware of the Health, Safety, and Environment regulations andsubsequently to ensure strict adherence to these rules throughout the Competition.

6.7.7 Ethical criteria
All Experts are required to conduct themselves with the highest levels of integrity, honesty, andfairness. One of the most important requirements in this regard is to ensure that no unfair advantage
accrues to any Competitor or group of Competitors through receiving advance information about the
Test Project that other Competitors do not receive.

6.7.8 Toolbox checkSee section 9.7.6.

6.7.9 Secrecy
Experts are not permitted to convey any information about the Test Project to a Competitor or any
other person except where agreed by the Experts.
The relevant Technical Description, Test Project requirements, and lists of duties described in thissection of the Competition Rules are fully binding on Experts.

6.7.10 Communication with compatriot Competitor
See section 7.3.3.

6.7.11 Competitors – Duty of Care and honesty, fairness, and transparency
See section 7.1.

6.7.12 Expert participation in Test Project preparation and assessment
See section 10.16.

6.7.13 Discussion Forum
Experts, Technical Delegates, Workshop Managers, and others – either associated or invited – use theDiscussion Forums to communicate and coordinate development of the Test Project and the overall
development of the skill competition. The link for the forums is https://forums.worldskills.org. The

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Chief Expert – or an Expert nominated by the Chief Expert – acts as moderator the forum (supportedby the Secretariat).

6.7.14 Decisions made on the Discussion Forum
Decisions by Experts on the Discussion Forum made during the preparation period for the Competition
and in accordance with the majority decision of Experts (see section 6.5.2) are binding.
A quorum is achieved when at least two thirds of the Experts from the Members registered for aparticular skill competition participate in the vote. A vote must be open for at least two weeks
following its announcement on the forum.
If an Expert is absent from the Discussion Forum at the time that the vote takes place and a quorum isachieved, they have the right to be informed of the decision, but the matter is not raised or voted
upon again.
Decisions and vote results are to be recorded by the Skill Competition Manager or Chief Expert using
the Decisions, Actions, and/or Agreement form located at http://skill-management.worldskills.org.

6.8 Technical Delegate (TD)6.8.1 Definition
Each Member is represented by an Official Delegate (OD) and a Technical Delegate (TD). The OD and
TD also represent the Member at the General Assembly.
Each Member nominates one Technical Delegate as their representative on the Competitions
Committee. If a Technical Delegate is appointed as a Board member responsible for Competitions
Committee leadership, that Member may appoint a substitute Technical Delegate to perform theirTechnical Delegate duties.

6.8.2 Appointment period of a Technical Delegate
Members must appoint their Technical Delegate for the WorldSkills Competition before the preceding
General Assembly. This ensures the same Technical Delegate participates in the Competition
Committee meetings at the General Assembly, in Competition Preparation Week, and is present andqualified at the WorldSkills Competition.

6.8.3 Attendance at the Competition Preparation Week
Technical Delegates must attend the Competition Preparation Week meetings and participate in allscheduled meetings for Technical Delegates including any training sessions. If not, that Member will belimited to having Competitors in three skill competitions at the upcoming WorldSkills Competition.
On the second occurrence of a Member’s non-participation by their Technical Delegate at Competition
Preparation Week, that Member cannot have Competitors in any skill competitions at the upcoming
WorldSkills Competition.
In these situations, the Member may still have Experts in the skill competitions, and they are notlimited to three.

6.8.4 Timely provision of information and completion of tasks
Technical Delegates must ensure timely provision of information to their Competitors and Experts andthat all accredited personnel achieve 100% completion of their assigned tasks in the Delegate Centreby C-1 month. See sections 6.7.4 and 6.7.5.

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6.8.5 Provision of information to Competitors
Technical Delegates must ensure that all their Competitors have the relevant Technical Description,
Competition Rules, and Health, Safety, and Environment regulations and all other Official Competition
documentation. The Technical Delegate must also ensure that all Competitors are registered on thewebsite so they can access all resources directly via the Competitor Centre:
www.worldskills.org/competitorcentre.

6.8.6 Provision of information to Experts
Technical Delegates must inform their Experts of their detailed responsibilities and ensure that they
have the required Technical Description, the Competition Rules, and Health, Safety, and Environment
regulations and all other Official Competition documentation. The Technical Delegate must also ensurethat all Experts are registered on the website so they can access all resources directly via the Expert
Centre: www.worldskills.org/expertcentre.

6.8.7 Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance portfolios are assigned to Technical Delegates for each Competition. These areassigned by the Board members responsible for Competitions Committee leadership to coordinate
responsibility for:• Competitors and Team Leaders• Health, Safety, and Environment• Sustainability

6.9 Technical Delegate Assistant (TDA)
Members may appoint up to two Technical Delegate Assistants to support a Technical Delegate tocarry out their duties.

6.9.1 Qualifications and experience
Ideally, a Technical Delegate Assistant should have previous WorldSkills International experience as anExpert or Competitor.

6.9.2 Access, rights, roles, and responsibilities
The Technical Delegate Assistant:• Is accredited to the Competition via an official package and accommodated with Experts• Arrives on site with the Technical Delegates and Experts• May attend Competitions Committee meetings and Skill Management Team meetings during theCompetition• May only enter the skill competition workshops in which they have an Expert• May not act as a Technical Delegate in the Competitions Committee, but may attend meetings to
observe• Has read-only access to all Discussion Forums. Any comments must be posted by the TechnicalDelegate

6.10 Official Delegate (OD)
Official Delegates represent their Member organization in the Strategic Development Committee and
the General Assembly.
Official Delegates possess knowledge of important decisions made by the Strategic Development
Committee. They are also informed of organizational and technical matters via the General Assembly
and their partnership with their Technical Delegate.

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Official Delegates are responsible for conveying this information to their Member organization andother relevant national stakeholders and providing feedback to the Board members responsible forStrategic Development Committee leadership.

6.11 Competitions Committee Delegate (CCD)
The Competitions Committee Delegate (CCD) is a Technical Delegate appointed by the Board
members responsible for Competitions Committee leadership to represent the Competitions
Committee by overseeing the management of one to two skill competitions. It is a mandatory
requirement that every Technical Delegate fulfils the responsibilities of the Competitions Committee
Delegate.

6.11.1 Eligibility
To be eligible for appointment as a Competitions Committee Delegate, a Technical Delegate musthave:
• attended the Competition Preparation Week meetings, including attending training sessions, andundergone the required Competitions Committee Delegate professional development;• conducted the Access Programme for their new Experts by the required deadline; and• completed the preparedness tasks to 100% in the Delegate Centre for a Technical Delegate and aCompetitions Committee Delegate.

6.11.2 Responsibilities
The Competitions Committee Delegate works in cooperation with the Skill Competition Manager toensure the professional conduct of the skill competition.
As part of their role, the CCD acts as advisor, mediator, and critical friend, and ensures adherence to
the Competition Rules and implementation of Competitions Committee decisions.

6.12 Competitions Committee Delegate Lead (CCDL)
Competitions Committee Delegates are divided into teams which shall have more experienced
Competitions Committee Delegates appointed by the Board members responsible for Competitions
Committee leadership to act as the Competitions Committee Delegate Lead. They oversee themanagement of three to four skill competitions.

6.12.1 Responsibilities
The Competitions Committee Delegate Lead shall report to the Board members responsible forCompetitions Committee leadership and provide guidance to the Competitions Committee Delegatesin their team.

6.13 Interpreter (I)The terms “translator” and “interpreter” refer to persons undertaking written or oral languagetranslation. WorldSkills International has adopted the term Interpreter to cover both interpreting andtranslating.
WorldSkills International fully recognizes the value and importance of Interpreters because they allow
Experts to work together without communication difficulties and to ensure that all Competitors get
the same information, enabling them to compete on an equal footing.

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6.13.1 Entitlement
Every Member is entitled to bring, at their own expense, Interpreters to translate and communicate
about Test Projects and assist in communication during the skill competition.

6.13.2 Qualification
Ideally, Interpreters should have knowledge of the technical terms appropriate to the skill
competition(s) for which they are working.
Interpreters must have successfully completed the Competition Rules quiz.

6.13.3 Appointment
Members may not use former Experts or Competitors as Interpreters in the skill competition in which
they were formerly an Expert or Competitor.
Former Interpreters who become Experts cannot have an Interpreter for their native language to
English.

6.13.4 Assignment
Interpreters are registered to a pool by the Member. At C-4 months, these Interpreters are randomly
assigned to the Member’s skill competitions, irrespective of industry sector. The outcome of theautomated random assignment process is available in the Registration System.

6.13.5 Contact with Competitors
Interpreters must not have direct contact with compatriot Competitors in the workshop except whenpermitted by the Chief Expert or Expert Lead.

6.13.6 Conduct in the workshop• The compatriot Expert must introduce the Interpreter at the first Expert meeting• After the official commencement of the Competition, Interpreters are to remain in the central
workshop area – or elsewhere as specified by the Chief Expert – and be readily available, as
required• From C1 to C4, the Interpreter must inform the Chief Expert or Expert Lead when entering or
leaving the workshop area during competition time
• The Interpreter must ensure that a digital file, photocopy, or the original of any translated
documentation is given to the Chief Expert for archiving• The Chief Expert submits these translations to the Secretariat at the end of the Competition

6.13.7 Confidentiality of information
Competitors must not receive additional information as a result of the Interpreter’s work.

6.14 Workshop Manager (WM)
6.14.1 Definition
The Workshop Manager is a person with qualifications and experience in their accredited skill who is
responsible for
•
•
•
•
•

Workshop installations
Preparation of materials
Workshop security
Health, Safety, and Environment
General tidiness and neatness of the workshop area

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6.14.2 Appointment
The Competition Organizer appoints a Workshop Manager for each skill. These may be appointed
from Global Partners or event sponsors. They cannot be appointed if they work for a company oragent in conflict with a Global Partner or event sponsor.

6.14.3 Reporting
Workshop Managers report to the Competition Organizer. For technical matters, Workshop Managers
also report to their Chief Expert.

6.14.4 Special arrangements
Workshop Managers are briefed by the Board members responsible for Competitions Committee
leadership and the Director of Skills Competitions about any special arrangements and/or
circumstances relating to the conduct of their competition.

6.14.5 Presence
The Workshop Manager must be present in the workshop area from the time that the Experts start
their preparation for the Competition, throughout the Competition and until all assessments and theExperts’ other tasks have been completed (normally C-4 to C+1).

6.14.6 Neutrality
The behaviour of the Workshop Manager towards Competitors must be neutral. They may notparticipate in discussions on Test Project selection and assessment and, where practical, should beabsent when marking takes place. The Experts may consult with the Workshop Manager if the needarises.

6.14.7 Contact with national organization and Competitors
Workshop Managers can participate in all activities with their national organization until theannouncement of the Competitors (or squad), or C-12 months, whichever comes first. At thatpoint, the Workshop Manager must cease all skill-specific training of the Competitor or squad.
Participation in team building and team development – such as developing mental attitude, physicalactivities to bring the team closer together, and presentations by sports psychologists and nutritionists– is permitted.
Workshop Managers may remain on committees and boards for their national organization and may
participate in judging at provincial and/or state competitions for the following round of competitions.
Workshop Managers invited to assist in skill-specific training of Competitors for other nationalorganizations should decline the invitation after the announcement of the Competitors (orsquad) for the WorldSkills Competition, or C-12 months, whichever comes first. The same applies
if they are invited to judge at a national or regional competition in a different country/region.

6.15 Workshop Manager Assistant (WMA)
6.15.1 Definition
With the agreement of the Board members responsible for Competitions Committee leadership andDirector of Skills Competitions, the Competition Organizer may appoint one or more assistants whowill comply with the same rules as the Workshop Manager. The Workshop Manager Assistant reports
to the Workshop Manager.

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6.16 Workshop Sector Manager (WSM)
The Workshop Sector Manager is a person with qualifications and experience in one of the skills in theindustry sector to which they are appointed. The WSM is responsible for overseeing the Workshop
Managers in their industry sector.

6.16.1 Appointment
The Competition Organizer appoints a Workshop Sector Manager for each industry sector.

6.16.2 Reporting
Workshop Sector Managers report to the Competition Organizer. For technical matters, Workshop
Sector Managers also report to the appropriate Chief Expert(s).

6.16.3 Neutrality
The behaviour of the Workshop Sector Manager towards Competitors must be neutral. They may notparticipate in the discussions on Test Project selection and assessment. The Skill Management Teammay consult with the Workshop Sector Manager if the need arises.

6.16.4 Contact with national organization and Competitors
Workshop Sector Managers can participate in all activities with their national organization until theannouncement of the Competitors (or squad), or C-12 months, whichever comes first. At thatpoint, the Workshop Sector Manager must cease all skill-specific training of the Competitor or squad.
Participation in team building and team development – such as developing mental attitude, physicalactivities to bring the team closer together, and presentations by sports psychologists and nutritionists– is permitted.
Workshop Sector Managers may remain on committees and boards for their national organization andmay participate in judging at provincial and/or state competitions for the following round ofcompetitions.
Workshop Sector Managers invited to assist in skill-specific training of Competitors for other nationalorganizations should decline the invitation after the announcement of the Competitors (orsquad) for the WorldSkills Competition, or C-12 months, whichever comes first. The same applies
if they are invited to judge at a national or regional competition in a different country/region.

6.17 Observers and other positions
Every Member is entitled to invite, at their own expense, Official Observers (2) and, a number of otherObservers and delegate types.
Official Observers, Observers, and delegate types listed below must be registered in the same way as
Experts and Delegates if they wish to have access to official events and accommodation.
Discussions between Official Observers, Observers, other delegate types, and Experts to exchange
ideas and experiences are encouraged but must not take place in workshop areas.

6.17.1 Official Observers (OO)
Official Observers are VIPs from the Member’s country/region provided access to WorldSkills
International meetings and special Competition Organizer events.
Members are limited to two Official Observers.

6.17.2 Observers (O)Observers are spectators who have taken an official package. They do not enjoy a special status.

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6.17.3 Member Organization Support (MOS)
Member Organization Support is a position for Member personnel who are important to the runningof and support within the Member team, but have no official position relating to the WorldSkills
Competition.
Members are limited to two persons in this position – they can support the team (excluding theCompetitors) and they will be accredited as Observers (not Technical Delegate Assistants).

6.17.4 Member Organization Support – Competitor (MOS-C)
The Member Organization Support - Competitor position is an additional position where the persons
are for support of the Competitors. Members are limited to two persons in this position. They are
accredited as “Observers” (not Team Leaders) and can stay at the same hotel as the Competitors.

6.17.5 Member Observers (MO)Member Observers are spectators who have taken an official package like Observers, however, arebooked by Members and included in the Member Organizations packages invoicing. These are
generally Member staff and key stakeholders. They do not enjoy a special status.

6.17.6 Communications Officer
Communications Officer are personnel that are affiliated with the Member Organization with the
responsibility for all marketing, communications, public relations, and media activity. They are only
able to stay at the same hotels as either Experts or Competitors and are accredited as“Communications Officers”.
Members are limited to two Communications Officers.

6.17.7 Member Media
Member Media are personnel that are affiliated with the Member Organization with the specificresponsibility for filming, photographing, and reporting on the Competition. All personnel registeredas Member Media must undergo an approval process in order to be accredited as Member Media.
Members are limited to four Member Media.

6.17.8 CEO of National Skills Organization (CEO NSO)CEO NSOs are Chief Executive Officers (or Executive Director, Secretary General, General Manager –depending on terminology) of the stand-alone National Skills Organizations that are the Member
organizations to WorldSkills International. They are provided access to WorldSkills International
meetings and special Competition Organizer events.

6.17.9 Technical Observers (TO)Technical Observers are people who will be Workshop Managers at the following Competition. They
are permitted to enter the workshop area for the skill competition to which they are accredited to gain
experience. There may be only one Technical Observer per skill competition.

6.17.10 Future Competition Organizer Observers
Future Competition Organizer Observers are personnel from the Organizing Committee of future
Competitions. Each Future Competition Organizer Observer is given customized accreditation to accessdifferent parts of the Competition at different times, depending upon their position andresponsibilities.

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6.18 Quality Auditor (QA)
Appointed by and reporting to the Board, the Quality Auditor has two key roles:• To provide an independent informed assessment of the procedures and practices used for theCompetition with the aim of suggesting improvements• To monitor judging and the compilation of accurate results
The QA must not engage in any problem-solving activities during the Competition but refers any
immediate issues to the Board members responsible for Competitions Committee leadership.

6.19 Standards and Assessment Advisor (SAA)
Appointed by the Board at the recommendation of the Board members responsible for Competitions
Committee leadership, the Standards and Assessment Advisor oversees the WorldSkills International
assessment system including the development of best-practice assessment through the incorporationof clearly defined WorldSkills Occupational Standards in the Technical Descriptions and Marking
Schemes.
The SAA must have••••

Competition experience
Broad and deep knowledge of standards and assessment
WorldSkills-related assessment preparation experience
Working knowledge of the Competition Information System (CIS)

6.20 Lead Skill Advisor
The Lead Skill Advisor is an experienced Skill Advisor (refer to 6.21) who is responsible for providing
leadership, guidance, and support to the Skill Advisors to ensure their efficiency, effectiveness, andvalue to the skills competitions.
The Lead Skill Advisor is appointed by the Competitions Committee Management Team. They reportto the Director of Skills Competitions.

6.21 Skill Advisor (SA)Skill Advisors support the Skill Management Teams in the design and operation of their Marking
Schemes and assessment practices. Using the analysis from the previous Competition, the Skill Advisor
reviews the Marking Schemes of up to 10 skill competitions to support the Skill Management Team inthat skill competition.
Skill Advisors are appointed by the Competitions Committee Management Team in consultation with
the Standards and Assessment Advisor. They report to the Director of Skills Competitions.

6.22 Chief Executive Officer (CEO)The WSI CEO’s primary responsibility in relation to the Competition is to manage the preparation andexecution of Competition and associated activities and events. This is to be done in consultation with
the Board, the Competition Organizer, the Secretariat staff, and other stakeholders. Further CEO
responsibilities are specified in the Standing Orders, the Competition Rules, and the Competition Event
Manuals. The CEO is also responsible, in conjunction with the Competition Organizer, for coordinating
and producing the Competition Programme and associated documentation.

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6.23 Director of Skills Competitions
The Director of Skills Competitions is responsible for managing the preparation and execution of skills
competitions in close collaboration with the Board members responsible for Competitions Committee
leadership, Secretariat staff, and Competitions Committee.

6.24 Board members responsible for Competitions Committee
leadership
The Board members responsible for Competitions Committee leadership, in accordance with theConstitution, is responsible for all technical and organizational matters relating to skills competitions. A
Board member responsible for Competitions Committee leadership may appoint a substitute TechnicalDelegate to undertake their role as Technical Delegate.

6.25 Competitions Committee (CC)The Competitions Committee consists of the Technical Delegates. The chairing is a shared
responsibility of the Board members responsible for Competitions Committee leadership, and themeetings are held at their invitation, it deals with all technical and organizational matters relating to
the WorldSkills Competition. The Competitions Committee reports to the Board and the General
Assembly through its Chair.
Through its Chair, the Competitions Committee makes recommendations to the General Assembly on
any matter relating to the conduct of skill competitions not covered in these Competition Rules or inskill-specific documents.
The Board members responsible for Competitions Committee leadership, in accordance with theConstitution, are responsible for all technical and organizational matters relating to the skills
competitions.
The Director of Skills Competitions is responsible for managing the preparation and execution of theskill competitions in close collaboration with the Board members responsible for Competitions
Committee leadership, the Competition Organizer, the Secretariat staff, and the Competitions
Committee.

6.26 Competitions Committee Management Team (CCMT)The Board members responsible for Competitions Committee leadership, WSI CEO, and Director of
Skills Competitions form the Competitions Committee Management Team (CCMT), which coordinates
the work of the Competition Committee.

6.27 Secretariat
The Secretariat is responsible for providing management services and efficient administration of theCompetition in close collaboration with the Competition Organizer.

6.28 Audit teams for Health, Safety, and Environment
Audit teams for Health, Safety, and Environment conduct quality audits, taking into account the
Health, Safety, and Environment requirements of these Competition Rules (see section 14).

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7 Skill management
7.1 In the lead-up to the Competition
7.1.1 Duty of care towards Competitors
Each Competitor must be provided with the following:
Action/deliverable

Responsible

Registration on the website so that they can access all resources
directly via the Competitor Centre.

Technical Delegate

Technical Description, Competition Rules, and Health, Safety,
and Environment policy and regulations, and all other Official
Competition documentation.

Technical Delegate or compatriot
ExpertWritten Test Project instructions in their language of choice

Compatriot Expert

Mark Summary Form for the Test Project

SMT

Familiarization time (see section 7.2.2)

SMT

Compatriot Communication (see section 7.3.3)

Compatriot Expert

Access to their Interpreter whenever necessary

SMT, compatriot Expert

Access to their Team Leader(s) at all times

SMT, compatriot Expert

Competition timetable

SMT

Health, Safety, and Environment Agreement

Workshop Manager

Code of Ethics and Conduct

Team Leader

Communication Card

SMT

7.1.2 Technical Delegate responsibilities to Competitors
The Technical Delegate (with support from their Member Organization) is responsible for ensuring that
all compatriot Competitors are provided with the following information:• Access to the Competitor Centre on the website www.worldskills.org/competitorcentre, where all
relevant documentation is provided• Relevant Technical Description and Infrastructure List
• Competition Rules

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•
•
•
•
•

Code of Ethics and Conduct
Health, Safety, and Environment documentation
Test Projects circulated before the Competition as specified in the Technical Description
Briefing on any additional tools and/or any equipment or material(s) that may be required
Culture, customs, and laws of the Host country/region

7.1.3 Honesty, fairness, and transparency
Competitors have the right to expect fairness, honesty, and transparency during the Competition,
including that:• Clear and unambiguous written instructions are provided.
• All necessary equipment and materials specified in the Technical Description and Infrastructure List
are provided.
• No Competitor receives any unfair advantage, including that
• The same information about the Test Project is provided (in the Competitor’s language ofchoice) at the same time. An exception may be in skill competitions with rotating shifts.
• The Mark Summary Form is the same for all Competitors.
• Assistance provided by Experts and officials to ensure that Competitors are able to complete theTest Project is uniform.
• No interference by officials or spectators occurs that may hinder or assist Competitors.
• Accredited personnel at the Competition ensure that the above principles of honesty, fairness andtransparency are observed at all times

7.2 At the Competition
Competitors must receive detailed information about the Test Project and its assessment in thelanguage of their choice, with particular reference to:• Information on assessment criteria including the Mark Summary Form, but not the final detailed
Marking Forms• Detailed information regarding auxiliary materials and aids which may or may not be used (such as
templates, drawings/prints, patterns, gauges)
Competitors must receive detailed information about the organization of the Competition, including:
•
•
•
•
•

The Health, Safety, and Environment Agreement including measures arising from non-compliance
Competition timetables indicating lunch breaks and Test Project/module completion times
Information on regulations governing workshop entry and exit times and conditions
Information on when and how machines may be tested
Information on the nature and scope of sanctions and penalties that may arise from breaches of
the Competition Rules and the Code of Ethics and Conduct

Competitors must be informed that:• They are responsible for the safe use of all tools, machines, instruments, and auxiliary materials theybring in accordance with the safety regulations of the Host country/region.
• Before Competition commencement, Experts will conduct a check for prohibited materials, tools, or
equipment in accordance with the Technical Description.
• A daily check of toolboxes will take place in all skill competitions.
All Competitors are provided with a Communication Card with one red side and one green side withsymbols to facilitate visual communication.

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7.2.1 Assignment of workstations
Workstations are assigned randomly to Competitors by drawing lots. This may occur prior to theCompetition by the Director of Skills Competitions or at the Competition by either the Experts orCompetitors.

7.2.2 Familiarization
Before the Competition starts, Competitors have a minimum of five hours and a maximum of eight
hours in which to prepare their workplaces, and to check and prepare tools and materials. Any
exceptions to this rule require the approval of the Board members responsible for Competitions
Committee leadership and Director of Skills Competitions no later than C-3 months.
Under the guidance of Experts and Workshop Managers, Competitors will have this time and support
to become familiar with equipment, tools, materials, and processes, and to practice using equipment
and materials to be used in the Competition.
Competitors have the right to ask questions. Where processes are particularly difficult, a subject matter
instructor must be available to demonstrate the processes and Competitors are to be given an
opportunity to practice.
At the end of the familiarization period, Competitors must confirm that they are familiar witheverything by signing the Familiarization Agreement.

7.2.3 Checking of measuring instruments
To rule out errors, Competitor’s measuring instruments must be compared with those used forassessment.

7.2.4 Personal details and language preference
Competitors are required to provide their passports or ID cards to validate their identity and date ofbirth. A passport or ID card does not have to be from the country/region they are representing at theCompetition. The language in which the Competitor wishes to receive the Test Project and the Mark
Summary Form is also checked and recorded.

7.3 During the Competition
7.3.1 Starting and finishing work
Competitors must wait for the Chief Expert to give the order to start work. For skills wherecompetition is “against the clock”, they must follow the Chief Expert’s order to finish.

7.3.2 Extension of time
An extension of time is extra time granted to all Competitors to allow the completion of a Test Projector Test Project module, for example if the Experts agree that Competitors need 25 hours instead of 22hours. It does not include individual days running briefly overtime nor individual Competitors.
If an extension of time is required for a non-modular Test Project, the Chief Expert must first obtain
the approval of the Skill Competition Manager and then the approval of the Board members
responsible for Competitions Committee leadership and the Director of Skills Competitions no later
than the end of C2. All possible alternative solutions must be investigated before an extension oftime is granted.
An extension of time may be granted for modular Test Projects on a particular day, in which case theTeam Leaders are informed.

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7.3.3 Compatriot communication and contact
During competition time
Competition time is the time spent by the Competitor at their workstation on their Test Project. No
contact may be made with the compatriot Expert during competition time without the presence of anon-compatriot Expert giving their agreement that they may communicate with their Competitor. No
contact may be made with other Competitors or guests during competition time without thepermission of the Chief Expert.

Compatriot communication
A period of 15 minutes must be scheduled each morning of the Competition, or before each shift forskill competitions with two groups, for official communication between compatriot Experts andCompetitors (compatriot communication). An optional period of 15 minutes can be scheduled at theend of each Competition day.
Communication must be verbal only. The use of any equipment to record or exchange information –such as pens, paper, mobile phones, and electronic devices – is prohibited. Experts who have notcompleted their mandatory preparedness are still able to participate in compatriot communication.
Experts are not permitted to give any help to Competitors to interpret the Test Project (if alreadycirculated) unless agreed by the Skill Management Team before the start of the skill competition. Anyquestions arising must be referred to the Skill Management Team.

Outside competition time
Competitors and their compatriot Expert may communicate at any time outside competition time,
except skill competitions involving fault-finding. In these cases, Competitors are served lunch in theworkshop.

7.3.4 Skills involving fault-finding
Fault-finding elements are independently designed. The faults are set by independent persons working
behind screens. The Experts are not aware of the faults set.

7.3.5 Illness or accident
The Chief Expert and the Competitor’s Team Leader and Expert must be informed immediately if any
Competitor becomes ill or has an accident. The Skill Management Team will decide whether or not losttime can be made up. If a Competitor has to withdraw due to illness or accident, marks will beawarded for any work completed. Every effort will be made to facilitate the return of the Competitor
and to allow for lost time. This must be recorded on both the Accident/Incident Form and Competitor
Timeout Form.

7.3.6 Health, Safety, and Environment
A Competitor who fails to comply with safety instructions may incur a loss of marks. Continuous
and/or repeated unsafe practice may result in Competitors being temporarily or permanently removed
from the Competition. The Experts must determine the scale of any such deductions and inform
Competitors by C-1.

7.3.7 Review of Test Project and Mark Summary Form
See section 10.10.

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7.4 After the Competition
7.4.1 Exchange of views and experiences
When the Competition is over, Competitors are to be given one hour to exchange views andexperiences with other Competitors and Experts.

7.4.2 Packing up
The Chief Expert will give instructions on packing of tools and equipment. The workshop – including
materials, tools, and equipment – must be left neat and tidy.

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8 Technical Descriptions
8.1 Content and scope
Each skill competition has a Technical Description that specifies the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Name of the skill competition
Associated work role or occupation
WorldSkills Occupational Standards
Assessment strategy
Marking Scheme
Format/structure of the Test Project
Procedures for the development, selection, validation, circulation and 30% change of the Test
Project
Skill management and communication
Any skill-specific Health, Safety, and Environment requirements
Materials and equipment to be supplied by Competitors and Experts
Materials and equipment prohibited in the workshop
Skill-specific rules
Visitor engagement and sustainability
Reference for Industry consultation

The Technical Description may also give examples of the skill competition area layout, typically fromprevious Competitions.
The Technical Description does not define materials and equipment provided by the Competition
Organizer. These are defined in the Infrastructure List.

8.2 Precedence
In the event of any conflict between Technical Descriptions in different languages – the English version
takes precedence.
Technical Descriptions cannot overrule the Competition Rules – the Competition Rules takeprecedence.

8.3 Availability
The Technical Descriptions will be made available in English on the website at C-12 months. The
source files and tracked changes from the previous Technical Description will be available from the
Director of Skills Competitions to allow Members to translate the Technical Descriptions into any
language.

8.4 Updating and validity
8.4.1 Experts’ review
The Technical Description is to be reviewed by the Experts during each Competition cycle to ensure it
reflects best practice by industry and business across the world.
The review may include:• The addition of new special tools or equipment.

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• Recommendation for updates to any of the specifications listed under section 8.1.
• Recommendation for changes to the skill-specific rules (see section 8.5).
The recommended updates to the Technical Description for the following Competition are to besigned by at least 80% of the Experts by 16:00 on C+1. Exceptions to this timing must be agreed
previously with the Board members responsible for Competitions Committee leadership or the Directorof Skills Competitions.
The TDXX template is to be used for creation or update of Technical Descriptions.

8.4.2 Quality assurance, consultation, and updating
Each Technical Description, with Experts’ recommendations shown, is reviewed in two parts: sections 1
and 2; and section 3 onwards.
Recommendations for changes to sections 1 and 2: Description and WorldSkills Occupational
Standards are checked for the quality of their format and content, relative to international
expectations of occupational standards. Those that do not meet quality requirements are referred to
the Skill Competition Manager for discussion and improvement.
Once these requirements are met, each Technical Description and WorldSkills Occupational Standards
are forwarded to a list of senior industry and business personnel, for consultation designed to identify
changes and trends in the occupation that each competition represents. The list of personnel is largely
generated by WorldSkills Members, on request. Responses to the consultation are received either
electronically, or orally, with notes taken.
At the same time, each WorldSkills Occupational Standards is checked against the most recent global
occupational classifications and intelligence. This provides additional market intelligence, together withoccupational references for insertion in section 12 of the Technical Description.
At the end of the consultation process, all responses and intelligence are collated, reviewed, andforwarded to SMTs for discussion and decisions on inclusion, or not.
Simultaneously, section 3 onwards of the Technical Description are quality assured and updated by the
Secretariat.
By around C-15 months, the entire content of each Technical Description is ready for transfer to thelatest Technical Description template, prior to a final check and publication on the website by C-12
months.

8.5 Skill-specific rules
At the Competition, the Experts must develop any rules that apply specifically to their skill competition.
These skill-specific rules are agreed by vote of the Experts as part of the Technical Description update.
As stated in section 8.2, skill-specific rules cannot overrule the Competition Rules – the Competition
Rules take precedence.
Skill-specific rules are intended to provide specific details and clarity in areas specific to the skill
competition. This includes, but is not limited to, personal IT equipment, data storage devices, Internet
access, procedures and workflow, and documentation management and distribution.

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9 Infrastructure Lists
9.1 Definition
The Infrastructure List is a list of materials and equipment to be provided by the Competition Organizer
for the conduct of a skill competition.

9.2 Development
The Infrastructure List is reviewed and updated online by the Technical Observer (The Workshop
Manager for the following Competition) in consultation with the Skill Competition Manager in the 12months following the Competition.
The Workshop Manager and the Skill Competition Manager finalize the Infrastructure List atCompetition Preparation Week (around C-8 to C-6 months). No further changes can be made after
this time and the Test Project must be developed based on the agreed items in the Infrastructure List.

9.3 Publication
The Competition Organizer updates the Infrastructure List progressively on the website. Members canaccess and print this information at www.worldskills.org/infrastructure.
To assist Experts and Competitors to know which items will be supplied and their status a colour
coded system is in place on the Infrastructure List as follows:
Red – Requested
Item has been defined by the Skill Competition Manager but not yet secured, Competition Organizer istalking with potential suppliers or sponsors.
Yellow – Pending
A supplier or sponsor has been defined by the Competition Organizer, the Competition Organizer isstill in negotiations of final details of the contract or purchase order, nothing has been secured bysignature at this stage.
Green – Confirmed
The Competition Organizer has secured the sponsor or supplier with a signed contract or with aconfirmed purchase order.
SecretDetails of these items are not released to Experts and Competitors as these are surprise items related
to the 30% change to the Test Project or to an independently designed Test Project.

9.4 Supply of materials and equipment
The Competition Organizer must supply all equipment and materials listed in the Infrastructure List foreach skill competition.
The Competition Organizer provides infrastructure in compliance with local laws and regulations, andselects products and brands that are industry-standard and – wherever possible – globally available.

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9.5 Missing items
Any items (materials and/or equipment) listed in the Infrastructure List that are found to be missing
must be reported to the Skill Competition Manager, who will arrange through the Workshop Manager
for their provision.
If a piece of equipment or material listed in the Infrastructure List is missing at the Competition, theCompetition Organizer is responsible for ensuring its timely provision.

9.6 Substitute/additional materials
A Competitor may ask for substitute/additional materials to be provided if originally provided material
has been lost or damaged. This may lead to a reduction in the marks awarded. The Experts must
determine the scale of any such deductions and inform Competitors before the Competitioncommences by C-1.

9.7 Competitor’s personal tools
9.7.1 Definition
Competitors may only bring equipment NOT listed in the Infrastructure List that is either• Listed in section 8.0 of their Technical Description or• Approved by the Experts in the Discussion Forum prior to the Competition. (Approvals shall belisted in the decisions log. See section 6.7.14.)
Equipment listed in the Infrastructure List and provided by the Competition Organizer must be used by
all Competitors. Competitors are not permitted to use their own equipment with functionality identicalto equipment provided unless it has been agreed with the Director of Skills Competitions that aduplicate tool can be brought by the Competitor, and it is listed in the Infrastructure List.

9.7.2 Toolboxes
A Competitor toolbox is any container holding the tools and/or equipment provided by the Competitor
for the completion of the Test Project as documented in the Technical Description. The toolbox may be
shipped from the Member country or region by a logistics company, or taken as cabin or checkedbaggage by the Competitor.

9.7.3 Principles
Competitor toolboxes have impacts on the following stakeholders:• Members – cost of freight (volume, weight, type of shipping, and distance)• Competition Organizer – cost of storage and transport needs to be minimized needs to be minimal
WorldSkills recognizes that it cannot define the size of the Competitor toolboxes, as in many cases
Members or Competitors have already purchased toolboxes, or had them custom built, and use themfrom one Competition to the next. The size of toolbox is the Member’s responsibility.
The Experts’ knowledge of personal tools that must be brought by Competitors to the Competition
must be respected. Experts must clearly define the number and type of personal tools (not the brand)
to be included in a toolbox and ensure they are clearly documented in section 8 of the Technical
Description. Once this list is defined, the maximum size of the toolbox can easily be identified.
It is important that the defined number of personal tools is respected to ensure fairness ofcompetition.

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9.7.4 Size of toolbox
The maximum size of the toolbox that can be kept inside the Competitor workstation is documented
in section 8 of the Technical Description. Experts are expected to monitor toolbox size.
If a toolbox is larger than specified, the Competitor will be asked to remove their toolbox from theworkshop, with the assistance of the Workshop Manager, until after the Competition. Competitors
will be permitted to use the equivalent number of tools to those that fit in permitted toolbox size.
These may be kept at their workplace. The Competition Organizer will ensure security of those tools.

9.7.5 Missing items
If a Competitor’s personal toolbox is missing an item listed in the Technical Description, the Skill
Competition Manager is notified. If time allows, the Workshop Manager assists in finding a locallyavailable substitute. The cost of any such item must be borne by the Competitor.

9.7.6 Toolbox check
Each day from C-2 to C4, a team of Experts must thoroughly examine the contents of all toolboxes.
This examination is to ensure removal of any unauthorized items that might give an unfair advantage
to a Competitor. The Competitor must be present at all times during the toolbox check. Special tools
listed in the Technical Description are permitted.
If the Experts find any suspect or unauthorized equipment, they must inform the Chief Expert andcompatriot Expert immediately. The compatriot Expert and Competitor are then given the opportunity
to provide details or an explanation. Unauthorized items are secured or removed from the workshop
and returned to the Competitor following the completion of the skill competition. Under nocircumstances may Experts interfere with any Competitor’s equipment. Any action required must be
undertaken by the Competitor in the presence of their compatriot Expert and another Expert.

9.7.7 Removal from Competition venue
Toolboxes are not to be locked or removed from the Competition venue until the ownership of thecompleted Test Projects has been determined and an audit of supplied equipment has been
completed.
Reasons for this include:• Valuable equipment may be returned to the sponsor/provider or donated to educational institutions• An audit allows any necessary changes to the Infrastructure List to be identified• Completed Test Projects are the property of the WorldSkills International and the Competition
Organizer, and must not be removed without their permission

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10 Test Projects
10.1 Definition
Each skill competition has a Test Project that describes the work to be undertaken by Competitors todemonstrate occupational excellence. The Test Project must capture the context, purpose, processes,
and outcomes of an occupation, and in doing so support the implementation of the Marking Scheme.

10.2 Duration and scope
The Test Project must be designed to require between 15 and 22 hours of work over the full period offour days (C1 to C4). Exceptions may be approved by the Director of Skills Competitions.
The Test Project must enable Competitors to perform and compete according to the authentic
requirements of the related work role or occupation, as set out in the Technical Description, including
the WorldSkills Occupational Standard. The design of the Marking Scheme and Test Project mustensure that the performance of Competitors will be differentiated across their job-related andtransversal (generic, multidisciplinary) skills. Space, infrastructure, and resource requirements must be
minimized.

10.3 Materials and equipment used
The Test Project must be able to be completed using the materials and equipment listed in the
Infrastructure List and/or brought by Competitors as finalized at Competition Preparation Week. No
additional major items can be requested after this time. As some quantities in the Infrastructure List
are initially specified “per Competitor”, “per x Competitors” etc., exact quantities and details for
consumables in some skills are specified following Definitive Registration at C-4 months.

10.4 Format
All Test Projects (drawings and documents) must be available in digital form using the WorldSkills
International template TPXX (available from the website or Secretariat).
The CAD drawings are prepared according to ISO 128-3:2020 in method A and/or E as specified in theTechnical Description.
Test Project proposals for the following Competition are to be submitted in digital form to theSecretariat by 16:00 on C+1.

10.5 Third-party involvement
The Test Project, Marking Scheme, and material and equipment lists may be developed by a third
party.
In situations where Skill Competition Managers need to involve third parties (for example, for design of
the Test Project, or a draftsperson to produce professional drawings, or persons involved in shipping
hardware), the following two conditions must be met BEFORE involving that person:• Written approval must be obtained from the Director of Skills Competitions• The third party/parties must study and understand the Code of Ethics and Conduct and sign a
WorldSkills Confidentiality and Professionalism Agreement

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Where the third party undertakes design, they must consult the Skill Competition Manager about thestandards to be tested, the suitability of certain designs, and the format of the Test Project. They mustthen follow the development process specified by the Director of Skills Competitions.

10.6 Quality assurance and control
Test Projects designed and developed by Experts are expected to be at least viable. They are the least
preferred option.
The following impartial and proactive quality assurance and control (QAC) measures apply to Test
Projects designed by independent designers, including SCMs where they take the role of designer.
Design concept: designers must first conceptualize the Test Project, based on the context, purpose,processes, and outcomes of the occupation that the skill competition represents. This requires
research, and analytical skills, in addition to familiarity with best practice in the occupation. Theirobjective is to achieve the greatest authenticity possible within the given constraints. The Designer(whether or not they are the SCM) must engage their Skill Advisor with this process.
Review: this occurs at the first operational stage of Test Project design and development. It is
intended to check that the designer possesses the understanding, capability, and resources to movefrom concept to creation, and to complete the task according to expectations, by reviewing initialideas and drafts.
Verification: this is the intermediate operational stage of QAC. It verifies the feasibility, suitability, andoptimization of draft designs relative to the given criteria, the Marking Scheme, and Infrastructure List.
It should include where possible a practical test or simulation to give confidence of the final result.
Validation: this is the third and final operational stage of QAC. Using unambiguous evidence, it signs
off the Test Project’s functionality and fitness for purpose. Therefore, the Test Project must be
accompanied by proof of function, construction, or completion by C-2 months. (Evidence may be, forexample, a photograph of a project completed according to the Test Project within material,
equipment, knowledge, and time constraints.)

10.7 Timetable and personnel
The SCM or authorized person is responsible for• The selection of the designer(s) and developer(s)• The selection of the reviewer, verifier, and validator• (within reasonable limits) the timetable for completing the Test Project’s design and development,
including its quality assurance and control.
All independent Test Project design and development will be subject to independent guidance, review,
verification, and validation by trusted individuals with relevant expertise. Such individuals will begoverned by section 10.5. The Skill Advisor must be engaged at the design concept stage. After that,
according to the need, their expertise, and availability, another trusted individual may undertake one,
two, or all three subsequent stages of QAC.
Where the independent designer is the SCM, they are advised to identify an independent reviewer andverifier, as a minimum. According to the need, their expertise and availability, the same person may
undertake both review and verification. An SCM from an adjacent skill competition may be asked tofulfil this role. SCMs from Global Partners or event sponsors may wish to use other(s) from within theirsponsoring organization.

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Skill Advisors have an essential role at design concept stage. Subsequently they will wish to know thearrangements and identities of the reviewers, verifiers, and validators. However, they cannot
themselves act as reviewers, verifiers, or validators.
Advisory table for independent review, verification, and validation
The designer

Designconcept

Review

Verification

Validation

Global Partner(GP) or
Event Sponsor (ES)Skill Advisor

Another personfrom GP/ES; SCM

SCM

Mandatory; as inTD

Independent
designer

Skill Advisor

Independent
person; SCM

SCM

Mandatory; as inTD

SCM

Skill Advisor

Independent
person 1; adjacent
SCM

Independent
person 2; adjacent
SCM

Mandatory; as inTD

Independent
designer
Old structure (noSCM)

Skill Advisor

Independent
person 1; adjacent
SCM

Independent
person 2; adjacent
SCM

Mandatory; as inTD

10.8 Selection
The Test Project is selected either:• By a simple majority vote of the Experts at the previous Competition, on the Discussion Forum, orat the current Competition or• By a random draw carried out by the Director of Skills Competitions before the Competition or by
the Experts at the Competition
The Technical Description defines this process.
Where the Test Project is designed by a third party, the Experts are not involved in the selection
process.

10.9 Confidentiality
Information on the Test Project is to be distributed according to two key principles:• Need to know – only to those who need it to perform a task
• Just in time – when they need it
It is essential that no one except the Experts or a specific group of Experts know the contents of the
Test Project during its development. This also means that Experts MUST NOT involve any other personfrom their country/region or industry in the Test Project in any way without the prior approval of the
Director of Skills Competitions (see section 10.5).
Workshop Managers may request access to the Test Project from the Secretariat for the purpose of
preparing materials and equipment for the Competition. The Director of Skills Competitions will
determine exactly when this information is to be provided.

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Once Experts begin the preparation work on the Test Project at the Competition, all papers, drawings,
notes, laptops, memory sticks and other data storage devices must remain in the workshop and be
secured in the storage unit provided.
Responsibility for security and confidentiality rests with the Experts. A breach of security may bring the
integrity of WorldSkills International and the Expert’s Member organization into disrepute.

10.10 Circulated and uncirculated Test Projects
10.10.1 Overview
Circulated
non-modular
Test ProjectCirculated
modular
Test Project

Uncirculated
non-modular
Test Project

Uncirculated
modular
Test Project

Approved byExperts

C+1 of previous
Competition oras per theTechnical
Description

C+1 of previous
Competition oras per theTechnical
Description

Independently
designed

Independently
designed

Circulated toCompetitors

Immediately

Not circulated before Competition

Mark SummaryForm

Not circulated before Competition

Not circulated before Competition

30% change

Independently or by Experts at
Competition on or before C-3

None

None

Provided toCompetitors

Immediately
before start ofCompetition

Immediately
before start ofCompetition

By module as
required on C1,
C2, C3, and C4Mark Summary
Form

Provided to Competitors at start ofCompetition or start of each module
depending on format of the skill
competition

By module as
required on C1,
C2, C3, and C4

Provided to Competitors at start ofCompetition or start of each module
depending on format of the skill
competition

10.10.2 Test Project circulation
The timeline for the circulation of the Test Project is defined in the Technical Description and depends
on whether it is designed by Experts or independently:••••

Test Projects for the following Competition selected on C+1 are circulated immediately
Some have 30% change undertaken at the Competition
Some have independently designed 30% change
Some are not circulated at all until either C-4, C-2, or C1 and then progressively day by day toCompetitors.

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52 of 99• Modular Test Projects may be circulated by module as required on C1, C2, C3, and C4.
When circulated, each Test Project must be accompanied by the Mark Summary Form.
In the case of Test Projects that are circulated to Competitors in advance, Experts or an independent
person must change a minimum of 30% of the work content within the limitations of the equipment
and materials provided by the Competition Organizer. This is to ensure security and to prevent
Competitors from preparing for the specific tasks involved in the Test Project.
This “30% change”, if developed by the Experts, is decided by vote of the Experts on or before C-3.
Evidence of the changes to the work content must be documented and approved by the Skill
Competition Manager before the start of the Competition. All Competitors must be informed of thedetails as soon as the 30% change is released to the Experts.
Where an independent person developed the 30% change the Skill Competition Manager must
approve the changes in work content before the start of the Competition. This 30% change is notreleased prior to the Competition day C1.
Following 30% change, the Competitors only receive the Mark Summary Form. Competitors do notreceive details of the Measurement and Judgement Marking Forms.
The Experts must approve the Mark Summary Form by a majority (50%+1).

10.10.3 Uncirculated Test Projects
In the case of a Test Project and Marking Scheme that has been designed by a third party and not
circulated ahead of the Competition, the Experts are not required to approve the Mark SummaryForm.

10.11 Competitor briefing on Test Project and assessment
There are two types of Test Project:• A non-modular Test Project is an entire Test Project that is marked at certain given stages andphases.
• A modular Test Project is divided into modules that are marked as they are completed

10.11.1 Non-modular Test Projects
Competitors are given the complete Test Project, related explanatory material and information on theassessment criteria (that is, the Mark Summary Form) immediately before the start of the Competition.
Competitors will be allowed a minimum of one hour to study these and to ask questions. This time is
not included in the competition time.

10.11.2 Modular Test Projects
Competitors will be given relevant documents and explanatory material for each module immediately
before commencement of that module. As a whole document, the Mark Summary Form (informationon the assessment criteria) is made available to Competitors immediately before the first module. The
Skill Competition Manager or assigned Expert for each module provides clarification to Competitors, if
required. Competitors will be allowed a minimum of 15 minutes to study these and to ask questions.
This time is not included in the competition time.

10.11.3 Measurement and Judgement Marking
Competitors are not provided with details of the Measurement and Judgement Marking Forms.

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10.12 Translation
For Test Projects developed by the Experts, including the 30% change, this is finalized by the Experts
during the preparation period (C-3 to C-1). The Experts study the Test Project and the assessment
criteria, and organize translation into their compatriot Competitor’s language of choice.
For Test Projects designed by an Independent Test Project Designer that require translation, time mustbe allowed in the Skill Management Plan.

10.13 Sharing intellectual property
Test Projects that are selected and declared suitable for a Competition by the Experts are kept by the
Secretariat for future use by Members. These Test Projects are to be submitted digitally to theSecretariat.

10.14 Security of completed Test Projects
The removal/destruction of completed Test Projects and the dismantling of the workshops andinstallations must not start before all assessment has been completed unless approval is given by therelevant Skill Competition Manager.

10.15 Ownership of completed Test Projects
The completed Test Projects are the property of the Competition Organizer and WorldSkills
International and may not be removed from the Competition Venue or used in any way without thepermission of both parties.

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No2

Expert who is not
required to bring a Test
ProjectNoYes,
if passed theExpert Test

Expert who DOES NOT
bring a 30% change
proposal as required.

-

No3

Expert who is not
required to bring a 30%
change proposal-

Yes,
if passed theExpert Test

Expert3 without aCompetitor
Expert who has not
successfully completed
the mandatory Access
Programme modules,
preparedness
requirements, andMandatory Assessment
Training

Yes, if passed the Expert Test

Activeparticipation on
the discussion
forum

Yes

Activeparticipation inassessment

Equal Test Project
selection and 30%
change voting
rightsExpert who DOES NOT
bring a Test Project as
required

Equal Technical
Description voting
rightsRequired toprovide a Test
Project proposal

Expert scenario

Activeparticipation in
Test Project
development

10.16 Summary of Expert participation in Test Project
preparation and assessment

Yes

Same as Expert with a Competitor

-

No

Yes

2

Subject to Expert agreement, new Experts who do not bring a Test Project can participate in Test Project selection and the 30% change
vote if they have passed the Expert Test.
3
An Expert without a Competitor has same rights and responsibilities as an Expert with a Competitor.

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11 Assessment and Marking
11.1 About
The WorldSkills Assessment Strategy establishes the principles and techniques to which WorldSkills
assessment must conform.
Assessment at the WorldSkills Competition involves two main methods – measurement and judgement– as defined below. Explicit benchmarks are essential for both methods. The benchmarks must relate
to best practice in industry and business.
The main instruments used to support assessment are the relevant WorldSkills Occupational Standards,
Marking Scheme, Test Project, and the Competition Information System (CIS).

11.1.1 Definitions
Assessment is a broad term and includes marking. It covers both the methods used and theoutcomes.
Marking is a narrower term referring to the assignment of scales or numbers.
For more information, refer to <WSI_SC_guidance_marks_scores_points>.

11.2 WorldSkills Occupational Standard
There is a WorldSkills Occupational Standard (WSOS) for each skill competition. It specifies theknowledge, understanding, skills, and capabilities that underpin international best practice in technicaland vocational performance.

11.2.1 Weightings
The WorldSkills Occupational Standards are divided into sections, each assigned a percentage of thetotal marks indicating its relative importance. These sections are used to determine the allocation ofmarks within the Marking Scheme. A tolerance of 5% is permitted, provided that the balance of
weightings within the WorldSkills Occupational Standards is maintained. The Lead Skill Advisor must
approve any variations and check that the balance is maintained.

11.3 Assessment methods
There are two assessment methods: measurement and judgement.
Measurement is used to assess accuracy, precision, and other performance that can be measured
objectively. It is used where ambiguity must be avoided.
Judgement is used to assess the quality of performance about which there may be small differencesof view when applying the external benchmarks.
Both measurement and judgement must demonstrate that their assessment and marking are based on
explicit external benchmarks drawn from industry and business best practice. The baseline for theaward of any marks is the achievement of an acceptable industry standard.

11.3.1 Benchmarks
All assessments must have explicit benchmarks set out in the Marking Scheme. These must be adhered
to in practice. All Competitors are to be assessed against these benchmarks. Ranking of Competitors
for assessment and marking purposes is not permitted under any circumstances.

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11.4 Assessment training
Mandatory Assessment Training for Experts (MAT) comprises both training and testing to ensure thatassessment is of high quality, professional, and conforms to the rules and procedures. It is to be
conducted immediately before the Competition (C-4 to C-1). The training comprises:• Briefings on assessment and marking, their management, organization, and expectations.
• Tests of Experts’ expertise in areas of the occupation deemed to require that expertise.
• Tests of Experts’ understanding and capacity to assess and mark to international standards,
including by accurate interpretation of benchmarks and descriptors,

11.5 Marking Scheme
The Marking Scheme sets down the criteria by which a Test Project is assessed based on theWorldSkills Occupational Standards in the Technical Description.

11.5.1 Scale of marks
Each skill competition has a Marking Scheme with a scale of 100 marks.

11.5.2 Assessment Criteria
The main headings of the Marking Scheme are the Assessment Criteria. There are normally between
five and nine Assessment Criteria. These are not necessarily the same as the sections of the WorldSkills
Occupational Standards or the Test Project. Irrespective of the way the Assessment Criteria are
structured, the allocation of marks to Aspects of Sub Criterion must reflect the weightings in theWorldSkills Occupational Standards for the skill (see section 11.2).

11.5.3 Assessment Sub Criteria
Each Criterion is broken down into one or more Sub Criteria. Marking Forms are organized by Sub
Criteria. One marking team is allocated to each Sub Criterion and will mark all Aspects within that Sub
Criterion for every Competitor.

11.5.4 Aspects of Sub Criterion
Each Sub Criterion is broken down into one or more Aspects, to which marks are assigned. Aspects
are categorized as measurement or judgement to reflect the assessment method. Each Aspect must be
related to one (and only one) section of the WorldSkills Occupational Standards.
Ideally, the Marking Scheme has between 100 and 200 Aspects. It must have no fewer than 100 andno more than 250.

11.5.5 Allocation of marks
No Aspect shall be worth more than two marks (equals two per cent of the total marks available.)

11.5.6 Preparation and use of Marking Forms
The CIS generates one Marking Form for each Sub Criterion. This Marking Form contains:••••

All Aspects, whether assessed by judgement or measurement
Details of the Aspects of Sub Criterion with benchmarks for assessment
Maximum mark for each Aspect
The marking team responsible for assessment of the Sub Criterion

To eliminate the potential for bias the maximum mark per Aspect is removed from being visible on theMarking Forms where possible before being used by the marking team.

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11.5.7 Landscape-format Marking Forms
Marking Forms in landscape format can be used to allow more than one Competitor’s marks to berecorded on a single page. The landscape Marking Form can be used to record scores and marks forboth judgement and measurement.
Where landscape Marking Forms are used, all marks and scores from each of the Experts are to betranscribed to the CIS-generated portrait-format marking forms for data entry into the CIS. Whentranscribing, no marks or scores may be altered in the absence of the marking team.

11.5.8 The use of CIS calculations for measurement
Where the design of measurement Aspects requires a calculation to determine a Competitor’s mark,the CIS calculation functionality must be used. No external tools such as spreadsheets may be used.

11.5.9 Variation of Marking Scheme
Once agreed and finalized within the CIS, in exceptional circumstances, the Board members
responsible for Competitions Committee leadership may agree to a variation based on a written
request from the Skill Management Team submitted before C1. Typos and small mistakes maybe
corrected within the CIS if the intent of an aspect is not changed.

11.6 Assessment and marking procedures
11.6.1 Competition commencement
Before the CIS is made available for commencement of the competition, the Skill Competition
Manager must confirm to the Skill Advisor that all preparatory tasks have been completed.

11.6.2 Teams for assessment and marking
Here and below, the Rules use “Expert” to refer to judges and members of marking teams. This isnormally, but not necessarily, the case; other qualified and independent people may act as judges.
Rule 11.6.5 refers.
The Skill Management Plan must show the progression of the Test Project and Marking Scheme andallocate sufficient time for assessment and marking. Mandatory Assessment Training (Rule 11.4) andany prior assessment will enable Experts to be matched to the requirement, based on their relative
expertise and availability.
There is no expectation that all Experts will assess and mark. Test Projects and Marking Schemes mustnot be arranged to ensure that all Experts either mark to a similar extent, or at all. Experts who are notselected to mark will be given other responsibilities. Experts are asked to inform their SMT if they
prefer not to mark.
Each marking team shall be made up of three Experts.
These three Experts shall be supervised by a fourth Expert, who will also:• Coordinate scores for judgement, and• Replace an Expert to prevent compatriot marking
As long as the efficient conduct of the assessment and marking process is ensured, one or more
additional Experts may join the marking team for observation and training under the supervision of the
fourth Expert.

11.6.3 Dual assessment and marking
Skill Management Teams may conduct dual assessment and marking. In this case,

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• For measurement: two teams of two Experts act independently as assessors and markers before
comparing their marks.
• For judgement: two teams of three Experts act independently as assessors and markers before
comparing their scores.
In the event of discrepancies, the relevant Aspects are reassessed and marked or scored to reach aconsensus for marking and validity for scoring.

11.6.4 Variation for specified instances
In a very small number of competitions, it may be necessary for judges either• to observe and mark an action that all Competitors do simultaneously, or• to mark in such detail that a single marking team cannot mark the work of all Competitors.
This creates a risk of inconsistency, unreliability, and unfairness.
Where on examination of the options there is no better alternative, with the approval of the CCMT,
the related Skill Advisor will oversee the design and implementation of two-tier marking, in which• there is an additional advance briefing for the judges involved• a supervisory marking team observes, samples, reviews, and challenges the marking practice andresults of the marking teams involved, and• teams are rotated, where this exception needs to apply twice or more.
This is to ensure standardization. SMTs must alert their Skill Advisor to their inability to comply with
Rule 11.5.3, for one of the above reasons as soon as the need for an exception may be required.

11.6.5 Independent assessment and marking
Assessment and marking will continue to be a focus for quality improvement. In line with independent
Test Project and Marking Scheme development, independent assessment is an available option for:• Standard setting and advice for marking teams• Direct assessment and marking.
Independent assessors will be approved by the Director of Skills Competitions and subject to:• A written commitment to the WorldSkills Code of Ethics and Conduct, and Confidentiality andProfessionalism Agreement• Training and briefing including completion of the Access Programme elements related toassessment.

11.6.6 Procedures for assessment by measurement
The assessment decisions available to a marking team for measurement are either• Binary: yes or no, or• Against a pre-determined scale of conformity to a given benchmark
The use of either of these methods must correspond to industry and business best practice.

11.6.7 Procedures for assessment by judgement
A score is the award given by one Expert for a judgement Aspect of Sub Criterion. The score must bein the range from 0 to 3. The mark awarded is calculated from the scores awarded by three Experts inthe marking team.
Each of the three Experts assesses each Aspect of Sub Criterion, whether the Competitor has
attempted the work or not. The scores from 0 to 3 relate to industry and business standards asfollows:

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••••

0: Performance below industry standard, including a non-attempt
1: Performance meets industry standard
2: Performance surpasses industry standard
3: Excellent or outstanding performance relative to industry expectations

The benchmarks in the Marking Scheme (and recorded on the marking forms) provide a context forthese standards and act as a reference point for the marking team.
The following procedure is used for scoring when using paper marking forms:• Each Expert decides independently on a score (from 0 to 3) for an Aspect of Sub Criterion bycomparing the Competitor’s performance to the benchmark.
• Each Expert prepares the appropriate flash card for display.
• All three Experts display their flash cards at the same time when directed by the Expert coordinating
the recording of scores.
• Where the range of scores awarded for an Aspect is greater than 1, Experts must re-score that
Aspect.
• A brief discussion with reference to the benchmarks is permitted to reduce the range to 1 or 0
BUT
• Benchmarks must be agreed when finalizing the Marking Scheme and must not be changed duringassessment and scoring.

11.6.8 Entry of marks into the CIS
A (master) handwritten mark sheet must be created to record the finally agreed scores. This is used fordata entry into the CIS and kept to provide an audit trail.
Where paperless marking is used, the Expert awarding the mark or score enters it directly into the CIS
via a tablet or computer.

11.6.9 Order of assessment and marking
Since all assessment and marking is based on external benchmarks, the order of assessment andmarking (judgement/measurement) should not be a matter for concern. However, in cases of
disagreement or the perception of unfair marking practises, the Skill Advisor may require judgement toprecede measurement.

11.6.10 No assessment or marking in presence of Competitor
Assessment and marking shall not to be done in the presence of the Competitor unless otherwise
specified in the Technical Description.

11.6.11 Daily assessment and marking
The assessment day for each Sub Criterion is defined in the CIS. The scores and marks for Sub Criteria
to be assessed on a given day must have been entered into the CIS, approved, and signed off by theExperts by 12 noon the following day. The CIS sign-off form must be received by the CIS team by
13:00 on that day.
The exception is C4, where assessment and CIS entry must occur before 22:00 on C4 and approvaland sign-off must be received by the CIS team by 10:00 on C+1.

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11.7 Finalization of marks
11.7.1 Checking forms
Scores and marks are transferred from the handwritten marking forms, where they are used, into the
CIS as assessment progresses. Alternatively, scores and/or marks may be entered directly into the CIS
using a tablet or computer, in which case no marking forms are required.
CIS mark entry is locked by the Chief Expert for each Sub Criterion when marking for that Sub
Criterion is complete for that day.
When CIS mark entry has been locked, a PDF of all the marking forms for the specified marking day –including the Mark Summary Form – is created and placed in a folder on the desktop of the CIS
computer in the relevant workshop.
The PDF of the marking forms for each marking day are checked by an Expert, other than thecompatriot Expert, for the correct transcription of the handwritten marks into the CIS. The name of
the Competitor and the Member shall be hidden. Any concerns are raised with the Skill Competition
Manager. If handwritten marking forms are not in use it is not necessary for the Experts to review the
PDF given the purpose of this review is to identify and correct discrepancies between the handwritten
sheets and the marks entered into the CIS.
If a mark needs to be amended, the Skill Advisor unlocks the Aspect, makes the change, and re-locks
the Aspect. Each Expert in the marking group for that Aspect must countersign the form to confirm
that they agree to the amendment.
The Experts must then sign the Mark Entry Acceptance Form to confirm their acceptance that the markentry has been checked with the printed marking forms for the specified marking day.
If any challenges have been raised, signing is deferred until the challenge has been dealt with. Anychanges to marks are signed on the handwritten form or the CIS-generated form, providing a paper
trail.
The signed Mark Entry Acceptance Form must then be delivered to the CIS office.
No further objections to the marks will be accepted once this procedure has been completed.

11.7.2 Completion of assessment and marking
Assessment and the entry of marks into the CIS must be completed by 22:00 on last day of thecompetition.
Approval and sign-off for all assessment must be received by the CIS team by 10:00 on C+1. An
Expert who is not present in the workshop on C+1 forfeits the right to review, approve, and sign-off
the compatriot Competitor Marking Forms. In these cases, the Expert’s absence is documented, andtheir compatriot Competitor’s results are signed-off by the SMT. If an Expert refuses to sign-off theircompatriot Competitor’s results after all disputes are closed, then this is documented and the results
are signed-off by the SMT.
Experts are not shown the results for their skill competition prior to the Closing Ceremony.

11.7.3 Competition completion
The Experts shall not be released from their competition duties until the Skill Management Team hasdelivered all required information and paperwork to Competition Support and received signed
confirmation from Competition Support that all necessary information and paperwork has been
received.

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11.7.4 Marks in the Competition Information System (CIS)
Rounding
The mark awarded for each Aspect of a Sub Criterion is rounded to two decimal places. Marks where
the third decimal place is equal to or greater than 5 will be rounded up; those where the third decimal
place is less than five will be rounded down, so 1.055 becomes 1.06 and 1.054 becomes 1.05.

WorldSkills Scale
WorldSkills uses points to bring the results of all the skill competitions into a common scale: theWorldSkills Scale, enabling comparison between the skill competitions. Results based on 100 marks are
standardized on the WorldSkills scale by the CIS. This procedure sets the median mark in their skill
competition at the 700-point position.

11.7.5 Error handling
Any data entry errors discovered must be reported immediately to the Lead Skill Advisor. If it is agreed
that an error has occurred, the marks must be re-entered into the CIS and new printed copies of theMarking Forms and the Mark Summary Form produced for all Experts in the respective marking groupto review and sign. Both the original and the replacement forms must be retained as an audit trail.
Appeals concerning results shall be accepted until 10:00 on C+1. Once ratified by the General
Assembly (after the Competitions Committee meeting that checks and confirms the results), the results
are final and there shall be no further right of appeal.
If clear evidence that a major error took place that deprived a Competitor of an award is presented to
the CEO or to the Board members responsible for Competitions Committee leadership within one
week of the Closing Ceremony, then an appeal will be considered. In such a case, the final decision
will be made by the Board within a further week. Note: no appeals will be considered that relate tomarking or mark entry as this is the responsibility of the compatriot Expert to check and sign-off
before 10:00 on C+1 (Refer to 11.7.1).

11.8 Security of completed Test Projects
All completed Test Projects are to be secured until marking is complete and the final Mark Acceptance
Form has been signed for all Competitors. Should this prove impossible for technical reasons,photographs must be taken under the supervision of the Competitions Committee Delegates.
These photographs, in addition to the retained assessment papers, must be kept in a secure place,since they may prove necessary to ascertain the validity of the original assessment.

11.9 Publication of results
Members are provided with the Official Results for each skill competition listing all Competitors, theirpoints, medals, and medallions plus a series of results listing Member comparison “by average medal
points”, “by average points”, “by total medal points”, “by total points”, and “alphabetical with total
medal points and average medal points”.
Skill competitions with less than the minimum number of registered Members required for a first time
Official Skill (currently six Members registered, refer to 3.7.1) shall be excluded from the Member
Comparison Reports. These skill competitions do not produce enough data to reliably compare themto other skill competitions.
These are provided to the Technical and Official Delegates at the Competitions Committee meeting
and General Assembly meeting on the day of the Closing Ceremony. Delegates must not share theseresults with anyone until after the Closing Ceremony.

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The Official Results are posted to the WorldSkills International website at the completion of the
Closing Ceremony (C+1).

11.10 Medals and awards
11.10.1 Gold, silver, and bronze medals
Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded to the Competitors who come first, second and third
respectively on the WorldSkills Scale in all Official Skills.

11.10.2 Equally placed medals
If the difference between two or more Competitors is no more than two points on the WorldSkills
Scale, then equally placed (ex æquo) medals are awarded as described below. Variations may berecommended by the Competitions Committee and ratified by the General Assembly at the meetings
at which Competition results are ratified.

Gold• Two gold medals, no silver medal, one or more bronze medals• Three or more gold medals, no silver medal. In addition, one or more bronze medals when the
difference between the last gold medal winner(s) and the next Competitor(s) is not more than two
pointsSilver• One gold medal, two or more silver medals. In addition, one or more bronze medals when the
difference between the last silver medal winner(s) and the next Competitor(s) is not more than two
pointsBronze• One gold medal, one silver medal, two or more bronze medals

11.10.3 Medallion for Excellence
Competitors who have obtained 700 or more points but who are not awarded a medal shall beawarded a Medallion for Excellence.

11.10.4 Best of Nation
Usually, the Competitor who gains the highest points and/or highest medal of their country’s/region’s
team will be awarded the Best of Nation award. The Member's Technical Delegate makes the relevant
decision.
A Best of Nation award can only be awarded if there are Competitors in at least two skill competitions(refer to Standing Orders 6.1.2)
The Best of Nation cannot be a Competitor who has breached the skill-specific rules or Competition
Rules and received either 600 points or 5 points less than the lowest score of the lowest scoring
Competitor across all skill competitions, whichever is lowest, and/or a Competitor who has breached
the Code of Ethics and Conduct.

11.10.5 Albert Vidal Award
The Competitor(s) with the highest points at the Competition receives the Albert Vidal Award.

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Skill competitions with less than the minimum number of registered Members required for a first time
Official Skill (currently six Members registered, refer to 3.7.1) shall not be considered for the Albert
Vidal Award.

11.10.6 Digital badge for participation
Any Competitor who does not receive a medal or special award shall receive a digital badge forparticipation.

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12 Issue and Dispute Resolution
For WorldSkills, Issue and Dispute Resolution covers the spectrum from resolving simple questions rightthrough to dealing with major breaches of the Code of Ethics and Conduct during the setup,
management, and operation of a WorldSkills Competition. The Issue and Dispute Resolution process
has been created to guide efficient, effective, and timely decision making when these situations occur.
It becomes active for the period C-6 to C+1 of the WorldSkills Competition. This will be known as the“event period” for the application of the Issue and Dispute Resolution process.
Within this event period this process must be followed when disagreements cannot be concluded
fairly, amicably, and in a timely way between the parties involved. It should also be used when a party
believes there is clear evidence that the Competition Rules or Code of Ethics and Conduct have beenbreached.

12.1 Policies and rules hierarchy
WorldSkills, its Members, and all of its activities are governed by its Constitution, Standing Orders, andother official documents like the Code of Ethics and Conduct and Competition Rules. The Code of
Ethics and Conduct describes WorldSkills values and ethical foundations and how ethical behaviour is
promoted and implemented in the everyday work of the organization. The Competition Rules are
considered subordinate to the Code of Ethics and Conduct as they embody the values and ethics
specifically applied to the Competition activities and the skill competitions themselves.
The skill-specific rules for each skill competition are subordinate to the Competition Rules and residewithin the Technical Description for each skill.
Any subjacent policy or rule cannot prevail over a higher one.

12.2 Definition of key terms• Issue: This is a difference of opinion or approach that generates a discussion or debate relating to
the setup, management, and operation of a skill competition. The majority of issues, wherever
possible, should be resolved within the skill competition itself by the appointed Skill Management
Team. Any penalty to be applied must be done in consultation with the Competitions Committee
Management Team.
• Dispute: This is an escalation of an issue (definition above) because:• the Skill Management Team cannot resolve it in a timely manner, or• an alleged breach of the skill-specific rules, Competition Rules, or Code of Ethics and Conduct
has been identified.
• Incident: This is where a person not directly connected to the operation or function of a skill
competition reports observing a potential and/or significant situation which could lead to aCompetitor gaining an unfair advantage, is unsafe or unethical behaviour, or may potentiallydamage the reputation of the WorldSkills organization. Incidents are treated in the same way as
disputes.
• Event period: This is the period C-6 to C+1 of the WorldSkills Competition where the Issue andDispute Resolution process applies.
• Field of play: This is the term used to describe the activities that occur at the WorldSkills
Competition within the event period. It is important to define the field of play and the event period
because decisions have to be made under “live” or “real-time” conditions. It is considered that thisapproach is apt given that the WorldSkills event has a defined start and finishing point, after which
the results of the skill competitions are required to be announced and published (similar to sporting
events).

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65 of 99• Field of play decisions: These are the decisions required to resolve a dispute within the event
period to ensure the results can be announced at the Closing Ceremony. These are decisions thatshall be made by the assigned group or person, following an appropriate investigation and byinterpreting and applying the Competition Rules or Code of Ethics and Conduct.
• Balance of probabilities: This is the way the evidence will be reviewed by the Competitions
Committee Management Team, the Ethics Committee, their assigned representatives, and the CEO
and Board when making field of play decisions in respect to whether a skill-specific rule, aCompetition Rule, or the Code of Ethics and Conduct has been breached. Given that disputes must
be resolved within the event period, decisions shall be based on what is considered, in their view,
to be more likely to be true. These decisions will be taken after a dispute investigation.
• Dispute investigation: This is the fact-finding exercise to collect information on the dispute. The
depth and range of what can be investigated is naturally curtailed given the constraints of time.
Within these limitations, diligence will be applied to ensure the important and relevant facts arecollected. The outcome of the investigation will enable the assigned decision-making group to
make a more informed decision on it.

12.3 Principles
The following key principles are at the core of WorldSkills Issue and Dispute Resolution:• WorldSkills International has shifted its rules of evidence from “criminal based” (the prosecution
must prove its case beyond reasonable doubt) to a hybrid approach between sports refereeing andhow larger company systems manage internal staff disputes, which is akin to “civil based” (thecontested facts must be proved on the balance of probabilities). Unlike law trials, WorldSkills
International does not have an open-ended time frame hence the need for a hybrid approach.
The rules of evidence encompass the rules and principles that govern the proof of facts in aproceeding, i.e. the degree of certainty with which contested facts must be established in order tobe accepted as proved.
• There is a responsibility on all those involved or aware of an ongoing dispute to act fairly andprofessionally towards those who may be implicated. This allows the situation to be investigatedand concluded without inciting unwelcome bias or prejudice during the process. Therefore, it isnecessary that everyone involved or who is aware, to be careful and considerate about the tone
and content of what they communicate and disseminate further to avoid premature and inaccurate
conclusions that could lead to the defamation of any individual or Member. The principle of“innocent until decided otherwise” must prevail.
• When a Competitor is involved in an issue or a dispute, no person during any stage of the process,except under explicit instructions of the Dispute Resolution Office, is permitted to communicate (inany way) with a Competitor in respect to them potentially being implicated. If permission has been
granted, then the responsibility for informing the Competitor can only be carried out by either thecompatriot Expert, Team Leader, Technical Delegate, or Technical Delegate Assistant. Competitors
must be able to continue their work while the dispute resolution process is being undertaken.
• The type of decisions made during the constraints of the event period by the Competitions
Committee Management Team, Ethics Committee, CEO and Board, and appointed representatives,in relation to concluding disputes, must be recognized, acknowledged, and treated as being on thefield of play. As such, although appropriate diligence shall be taken in investigating the dispute, it
may be possible that errors could be identified retrospectively. Irrespective of any error identified
after the end of the event period, the field of play decision will stand and the published outcomesremain. Such identified errors will, however, be reviewed with the purpose of improving theapproach and process for the next WorldSkills Competition. See section 11.7.5.

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66 of 99• The standard of evidence required by the Competitions Committee Management Team, Ethics
Committee, CEO and Board, and any appointed representatives in decision making, in respect todisputes relating to breaches of the skill-specific rules, Competition Rules or Code of Ethics andConduct will be based on the balance of probability. This standard is used to reflect the field of playenvironment where investigations into disputes cannot be open-ended as they would be when thestandard of evidence is based on “beyond a reasonable doubt”. However, when assessing theprobabilities, the decision-making group will ensure that the more serious the allegation thestronger should be the evidence before concluding that the allegation is established on the“balance of probability”.
• The burden of proof to substantiate the claim resides with the party initiating the dispute with the
Dispute Resolution Office. The validation of the evidence and the determination of the facts of the
dispute will be conducted by appointed Investigation Agents.
• The number of people present at a formal investigation or dispute meeting shall be managed andproportionate to avoid the situation becoming intimidating for those directly involved in thedispute. These meetings can be attended only by invitation from the Dispute Resolution Office. The
Dispute Resolution Office will advise who is or is not suitable to attend the meeting whenorganizing the meeting itself. Both the Official Delegate and Technical Delegate will have the rightto attend when the dispute is directly implicating a representative from their country/region. In
addition, when a Competitor is required to attend, they have the right to be accompanied by oneof their Team Leaders.
• The Competitions Committee Management Team or the Ethics Committee must decide all cases
within the event period. Their decision is final. However, in those disputes dealing with alleged
breaches of the skill-specific rules, Competition Rules, or Code of Ethics and Conduct, if the parties
involved do not consider that the published process has been followed in reaching their decision,then the matter may be referred to the Appeals Committee. In the exceptional case where a
dispute has been directed to the CEO and Board to resolve then there will be no right of appeal
and their decision is final.
• To minimize any conflicts of interest while managing disputes, if the situation occurs wherecompatriot individuals are involved, conflicted members of the decision-making group must
immediately declare it and step aside to allow another to take up their responsibility. Where noother qualified or experienced member can be found to replace them, the dispute will be handled
directly by the Dispute Resolution Office. The Dispute Resolution Office being part of theWorldSkills extended Secretariat is deemed independent of Members.

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12.4 Process
The following schematic shows the general workflow and process:

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The following flowcharts are separate documents but are part of the Competition Rules for Issue andDispute Resolution:• Detailed flow chart to escalate an issue and initiate a dispute<PROC_SC01_IDR_initiating_a_dispute>.
• Detailed flow chart to manage and conclude disputes assigned to the Competitions Committee (fortype A and B disputes – see section 12.4.1)<PROC_SC02_IDR_manage_disputes_Competitions_Committee>.
• Detailed flow chart to manage and conclude disputes assigned to the Ethics Committee (for type C
disputes – see section 12.4.1) <PROC_SC03_IDR_manage_disputes_Ethics_Committee>.
• Detailed flow chart to manage and conclude the appeal process<PROC_SC04_IDR_manage_appeals>.

12.4.1 Resolution responsibility and types
From a resolution responsibility perspective, there are four possible types of disputes:
A. Where a dispute is declared (via the Escalation Form) and no skill-specific rule, Competition Rule, or
Code of Ethics and Conduct is considered breached but, and the matter remains unresolved due toits complex nature
B. An alleged breach of the skill-specific rules or the Competition Rules that is to be resolved by theCompetitions Committee Management Team
C. An alleged breach of the Code of Ethics and Conduct that is to be resolved by the Ethics
Committee
D. A situation where the nature of the issue or dispute requires that it is to be resolved by the CEO
and Board
The initial assessment of all disputes will be carried out by the Dispute Resolution Office.

12.4.2 Dispute Resolution Office
The Dispute Resolution Office is a small, dedicated team (one to three persons) working within theWorldSkills Competition management structure whose function is oversee and manage all disputes
occurring during the event period.
The Dispute Resolution Office will:• do the initial assessment of all disputes, determine the body responsible for resolution, and initiate
the process,• act as the communication and advisory hub for all disputes,• give procedural guidance to all the related parties connected with the dispute,• make sure relevant parties are aware that a dispute has been raised and set-up,• facilitate that the appropriate Delegates involved in the dispute attend the appropriate meetings,• communicate the dispute status,• document and keep records of all disputes, and• ensure a degree of consistency when penalties are to be applied against any precedent applied
previously.

12.4.3 Ethical breach examples
Possible type C and D disputes (see section 12.4.1) may include:
•
•
•
•
•

Theft (of personal items or competition equipment, materials, or consumables)
Fraud (relating to falsifying information regarding any delegate/person)
Physical violence or bullying
Indecent behaviour
Purposeful damage to assigned accommodation, venue, or places relating to any host excursions

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69 of 99• Deliberately accessing Internet sites that contain pornographic or other offensive material while
within the Competition venue• Misuse of confidential personal information regarding delegates• Discrimination or harassment of any delegate or member the public• Bringing WorldSkills into serious disrepute (including posting social media which unjustly tarnishes
the reputation of WorldSkills or its Members or its delegates)• Offering or accepting bribes• Causing loss or damage to property, or injury to any delegate through serious negligence• Incapacity due to alcohol or illegal/prescription drugs while actively undertaking the assigned
competition role.
This list is not exhaustive but serves to highlight the types of situations that will be either directed to
the Ethics Committee or, in exceptional circumstances where the dispute is so severe or wherecomplex cultural situations exist, directed to the CEO and Board to resolve.

12.4.4 Initiating the dispute resolution process
Only the following WorldSkills accredited positions can directly escalate an issue to the Dispute
Resolution Office:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Official Delegates
Technical Delegates
Chief Experts
Experts
Skill Competition Managers
Skill Advisors
WSI Secretariat and Board

To escalate the issue and initiate the dispute resolution process, they complete an Escalation Form andsubmit it to the Dispute Resolution Office.
A Competitor or Team Leader wishing to escalate an issue must do so either via their compatriot
Expert or their Technical Delegate.
When one of the above-listed accredited positions is not directly involved in the skill competition but
observes potential wrongdoing and wishes to initiate a dispute concerning it, then this situation is
initially classified as an “incident”. They can complete and submit an Escalation Form if they can
substantiate their claim. As “incidents” they will be initially assessed by the Dispute Resolution Office
before they are passed over to an assigned decision-making group to manage the situation.
When a person not in the above-listed accredited positions believes they have observed and cansubstantiate a potential incident associated with a particular skill competition or an objectionable
incidence at the WorldSkills event, then they need to direct their concern, with the supporting
evidence to the Technical Delegate of the Member they are associated with or to the Director of Skills
Competitions. In the situation where the Technical Delegate is contacted, the Technical Delegate isrequired to initially validate and complete the Escalation Form only if and when they agree to support
the claims that are being made. In the situation where the Director of Skills Competitions is contacted,
the Dispute Resolution Office will review it prior to agreeing to proceed.

12.4.5 Initial assessment and classification
As stated in section 12.4.1, the initial assessment of all disputes will be carried out by the Dispute
Resolution Office. The Dispute Resolution Office will initially review the Escalation Form, add a dispute
number, and allocate the dispute to the appropriate decision-making body.
For disputes where it is initially assessed that guidance and an independent ruling is required (type A –see section 12.4.1) the Dispute Resolution Office will assign a Resolution Agent for that dispute.

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For all other disputes (type B, C, and D – see section 12.4.1) the Dispute Resolution Office will assign
one or two Investigation Agent(s) to conduct the investigation on behalf of the assigned decisionmaking body.
In the rare situation where the CEO and Board directly manage a dispute (type D – see section 12.4.1)
then they can call any necessary resources available to them to investigate the matter.

12.4.6 Role of Resolution AgentThe Resolution Agent can either be a former Technical Delegate or a current Competitions Committee
Delegate Lead seconded to support the Dispute Resolution Office to resolve a type A dispute (seesection 12.4.1).

12.4.7 Resolving a dispute
The RA shall be empowered to make the necessary decisions regarding the fairest resolution to be
implemented for the given circumstance presented. If any adjustments to Competitor(s) competition
time (addition or deduction) are proposed, then they must be approved by the Board members
responsible for Competitions Committee leadership before being implemented. The resolution
implemented must be documented with the Dispute Resolution Office so that it can be recorded andcommunicated as an outcome of the dispute.
If during the course of a resolution the Resolution Agent finds that a skill-specific rule or Competition
Rule has been breached, then with the agreement of the Dispute Resolution Office, the Resolution
Agent may become the Investigation Agent for that dispute. If it is found that there could be a Codeof Ethics and Conduct breach then, through the Dispute Resolution Office, the dispute will be passed
to the Ethics Committee.

12.4.8 Role of Investigation AgentThe Investigation Agent can be a former Technical Delegate or a Competitions Committee Delegate
Lead seconded to support the Dispute Resolution Office to resolve a type B, C, and D dispute (seesection 12.4.1). The CCD Lead cannot act as the Investigation Agent when the person(s) implicated,
involved, or who has initiated the dispute are compatriots.
The role of all Investigation Agents is to be fair and objective so that they can establish the essential
facts of the matter and achieve clarity on what did or did not happen. The Investigation Agent should
do this by looking for evidence that supports any allegation, including but not limited to the proof ofburden that substantiates the claim, and evidence that may contradict it.
It is not the Investigation Agent’s role to prove the guilt of any party but to investigate and inform
what is fact, assumption, or just people’s perception about the situation and report this back to thedecision-making group.

12.4.9 Investigating a dispute
A dispute investigation can take many forms from being conducted within the skill competition
workshop and talking to those individuals involved, seeing the situation first-hand, or by holding amore formal investigation meeting with all or part of those personnel involved in the dispute. The
investigation will include, where applicable, the collection of written, photographic, video, computer
data, or any other physical evidence that supports or contradicts any allegation.
Once an investigation is complete, the Investigation Agent will provide a short-written summary of
their findings and share it with the Dispute Resolution Office and the relevant decision-making group.
They will also be required to verbally report and discuss their finding with the decision-making groupat the appropriate hearing meeting if applicable.

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It is a requirement that all those involved in a dispute make themselves available to the Investigation
Agent as a matter of priority but balanced with ensuring that the skill competition is allowed tocontinue. Discussions with a Competitor must respect the principles of Issue and Dispute Resolution(see section 12.3).
Failure to cooperate in a timely way could affect the outcome of the decision made if all the facts are
not available when the information is fed back to the decision-making group.
For a type B disputes:• If the Competitions Committee Management Team conclude at the end of the investigation thatno Competition Rule or skill-specific rule has been breached but acknowledge there is still an issue
to be resolved then the assigned Investigation Agent can become, with the agreement of the
Dispute Resolution Office, the Resolution Agent and help implement the best resolution foraddressing the ongoing concern.
• If during the investigation it is considered by the Investigating Agent and the Dispute Resolution
Office to be unique in its level of complexity, then through the Dispute Resolution Office they canseek the direct intervention of the Board members responsible for Competitions Committee
leadership to both investigate and resolve the dispute.

12.5 Decision, communication, and timing
12.5.1 Competition Rules or skill-specific rules breaches
The Competitions Committee Management Team must reach a decision in all cases. The decision will
be either a penalty is applied or dismissal of the dispute. This decision is final and the dispute is closed.
When a decision has been reached the person(s) implicated and the associated Technical Delegate(s)will be informed by the Dispute Resolution Office within 30 minutes regarding the outcome.
The delivery of this outcome will ideally be delivered face-to-face with those that have been
implicated, including their Technical Delegate and potentially the Official Delegate (optional, if they
request in advance). However, for efficiency, this outcome may also be delivered verbally (phone) or via
text message (phone message system) to the Technical and/or Official Delegate for them todisseminate to those from their Member who have been directly involved in the dispute.
When the outcome includes penalties to be applied immediately then these shall be included in thecommunication of the outcome to the associated Technical and Official Delegate.
Provided no appeal is submitted within the allowed period (see section 12.7.4), the SMT of the skill
competition associated with the dispute will be informed of the outcomes by the Dispute Resolution
Office and any associated penalty will be actioned immediately. Where appropriate, the Dispute
Resolution Office will also brief all Experts of the skill competition regarding the outcome of the
dispute. This briefing will be undertaken within the competition workshop (in the Experts’ room if
there is one available).

12.5.2 Code of Ethics and Conduct breaches
The Ethics Committee must reach a decision in all cases. The decision will be either a penalty is appliedor dismissal of the dispute. This decision is final and the dispute is closed.
Following the investigation of the dispute and on the review of the report by both the Chair and theother appointed Ethics Committee members for this dispute, they may rule at this point that there are
no grounds for continuing to hold an Ethics Committee hearing meeting and dismiss the dispute
immediately. If this is the situation, the Chair of the Ethics Committee will instruct the Dispute
Resolution Office to advise those parties involved that the matter is dismissed based on theinformation obtained within the investigation.

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If there is substance within the Investigation Agents report, the Chair of the Ethics Committee,
through the Dispute Resolution Office, will hold a formal hearing meeting with the relevant people
involved including the relevant Technical and/or Official Delegate and the assigned Investigation
Agent. The chair will summarize the investigation findings, ask for positioning statements from theparties, deliberate, and then deliver the outcome by declaring that they either uphold or dismiss theclaim of a breach in the Code of Ethics and Conduct.
When the Ethics Committee upholds a claim of an ethical breach the chair will also outline the penalty
that will be recommended immediately to the individual(s) or Member involved and any that may be
given following the WorldSkills event.
Provided no appeal is submitted within the allowed period (see section 12.7.4), the SMT of the skill
competition associated with the dispute will be informed of the outcomes by the Dispute Resolution
Office (if applicable) and any associated penalty will be actioned immediately. Where appropriate, theDispute Resolution Office will also brief all Experts of the skill competition regarding the outcome ofthe dispute. This briefing will be undertaken within the skill competition workshop in the Experts room
if there is one available.

12.5.3 Timing
On receipt of the fully completed Escalation Form before 18:00 during the event period until C3, theDispute Resolution Office will allocate the dispute to the appropriate decision-making body and havethe Investigation Agent or Resolution Agent assigned within one hour of its submission. The work
duration of the assigned Investigation Agent and Resolution Agent will depend on the complexity ofthe dispute, but it is envisioned that no single investigation should take longer than a 4-hourcontinuous working period before a conclusion needs to be drawn from the information gathered
during that time. Any hearing or appeal meetings should not exceed 90 minutes in duration. All
disputes must be finalized by 10:00 on C+1.

12.5.4 Communication daily summary
During the event period, the Dispute Resolution Office shall send all Technical Delegates and Official
Delegates a summary status of all disputes registered before 18:00 that day. The summary will indicate
the dispute number, the associated skill competition, whether it is an ethical or competitions-based
dispute, and the ongoing status towards an outcome of that dispute.
Details beyond this summary level will remain confidential with WorldSkills and those directly involved.
However, after the Competition, disputes may be documented with names removed and be used as
scenarios for professional development and training.

12.6 Penalties
The Code of Ethics and Conduct Penalty System covers the penalties for breaches of the Code of
Ethics and Conduct which overarches the Competition Rules and skill-specific rules. The following istaken from this Penalty System – please refer to the Code of Ethics and Conduct Penalty System forthe complete set and range of penalties that may apply.
If the Competitions Committee Management Team conclude that there was a breach of the skillspecific rules or Competition Rules (using the balance of probabilities) then the following maximum
penalties can be applied:• If a Competitor breaches the skill-specific rules or Competition Rules, the Competitor will receive
either 600 points or 5 points less than the Competitor with the least amount of points across all
skill competitions, whichever is lowest. The penalized Competitor’s result will be adjusted before
the official results are finalized. The Competitor has the choice to continue working or withdraw
from the competition.

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73 of 99• If an Expert breaches the skill-specific rules or Competition Rules, the penalty will be that the Expert
is removed from the workshop and has no further contact with their Competitor. The Experts
marking may also be removed from the CIS depending on the type of breach. If the Expert breachor decision regarding it occurs on C4 and dismissing that Expert at this time is considered to havelittle or no impact, then a penalty on the Member relating to the dispute can also be considered.
• If any other accredited personnel breach the skill-specific rules or Competition Rules, the penalty
will be that they are removed from accessing any workshops and have no further contact with theirCompetitors and/or Experts.
Before deciding on the exact penalty to be applied, the Competitions Committee Management Teamand Ethics Committee will seek the recommendation of the IA given their more in-depth
understanding of the circumstances of the dispute. Likewise, the Dispute Resolution Office will adviseof any precedence on applied penalties that may have been used previously on similar disputes.

12.6.1 Application of penalties
Penalties related to resolution of disputes (that are not breaches of the skill-specific rules orCompetition Rules, or breaches of the Code of Ethics and Conduct) can only be applied with theapproval of the Board members responsible for Competitions Committee leadership (so that there isconsistency across skill competitions).
Penalties related to resolution of disputes that are breaches of the skill-specific rules or Competition
Rules that were escalated to the Board members responsible for Competitions Committee leadership
can only be applied with the approval of the Competitions Committee Management Team (so that
there is consistency across skill competitions).
Penalties related to resolution of disputes that are breaches of the Code of Ethics and Conduct thatwere escalated to the Ethics Committee can only be applied with the approval of the Board and CEO(so that there is consistency across the Organization).
In situations where a Competitor is given a point/mark penalty their results cannot be removed fromthe Official Results.
The Dispute Resolution Office will also facilitate with the appropriate WorldSkills personnel ordepartments to ensure that any immediate penalty is implemented. It will record any further penalty or
sanction that may have to be actioned after the WorldSkills Competition.

12.7 Appeal process and timing
12.7.1 Scope of an appeal
An appeal to the Appeals Committee can only be made concerning the issue and dispute resolution
process and not the outcome or the decision made. The Appeals Committee cannot change thedecision of the Competitions Committee Management Team or the Ethics Committee. It can only
decide whether or not all the steps in their stated process were followed given the constraints of theevent period. If the Appeals Committee determines that the process was not followed adequately,
then the only outcome they can mandate is that the dispute returns to Competitions Committee
Management Team or the Ethics Committee for them to re-visit any steps that are considered to beincomplete.

12.7.2 Who can appeal?
Only the Technical Delegate or the Official Delegate of the Member involved can submit an appeal on
behalf of their personnel that were directly involved in the original dispute.

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12.7.3 Process
From the initial review of the completed Appeal Form, the Appeals Committee can decide that there
are no grounds for an appeal based on the information submitted. If this is the situation the Appeals
Committee will instruct the Dispute Resolution Office to advise the party(s) appealing that its appeal
has been dismissed based on the information they have provided on the form. There shall be no
second opportunity to resubmit the Appeal Form.
If the Appeals Committee considers there may be grounds for an appeal, then the Dispute Resolution
Office initiates an Appeal Hearing meeting.
If the Appeals Committee determines that the process has not been fair or complete, then the dispute
goes back to the Competitions Committee Management Team or the Ethics Committee.

12.7.4 Timing
The Appeal Form is to be completed by the appellant (see section 12.7.2) within one hour of thedecision of the dispute being communicated to them by the Dispute Resolution Office.
The Appeals Committee must meet within one hour from the time the appeal is registered if theappeal is registered by 18:00. Otherwise, it will meet at 08:00 the following morning. A decision must
be reached within one hour after the meeting.

12.8 Record keeping and results
12.8.1 Record keeping
It is expected that issues resolved within the skill competition are recorded by the Skill Management
Team and incorporated into the next version of documentation, knowledge management, andprocesses for that skill competition.
The Dispute Resolution Office is responsible for managing and collecting all information,
documentation, communications, and decisions associated with any dispute that is registered with the
Dispute Resolution Office.

12.8.2 Results
On C+1 the Director of Skills Competitions is responsible for ensuring that all penalties affecting
results have been applied before the official results are circulated to the Technical and Official
Delegates.

12.9 Appointment of Ethics and Appeal Committees
12.9.1 PoolAt C-6 months, the Board appoints a pool of persons from current Official Delegates, Honorary
Members, and persons with appropriate experience.

12.9.2 Ethics Committee
The Ethics Committee will consist of a Chair and at least one other person, ideally two other persons.
The Chair shall be appointed by the Board. This person’s only role at the Competition will be to chair
the Ethics Committee. Ideally, they will have a working knowledge of the WorldSkills Competition andhave experience in this type of role. A legal background would be a benefit.

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For each dispute, the Chair of the Ethics Committee will select at least one other person from the pool,ensuring no Member bias exists and that they were not involved in any part of the decision being
investigated.

12.9.3 Appeals Committee
The Appeals Committee shall consist of a Chair and at least one other person, ideally two otherpersons.
The Chair shall be appointed by the Board.
For each appeal, the Chair of the Appeals Committee will select at least one other person from thepool and/or the Board, ensuring no Member bias exists and that they were not involved in any part ofthe decision being appealed.

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13 Communications
13.1 Competition Organizer
13.1.1 Information to media
The Competition Organizer is responsible for publicity and providing and information to local andinternational media. All documents must reference the Host Member, Competition Organizer, andWorldSkills International in accordance with the Competition Event Manual. All documents andreleases must be approved by WorldSkills International prior to release.

13.1.2 Information to Members
The Competition Organizer must provide regular detailed information on the preparation of theCompetition, and about the Host Member, its educational system, its industry, and culture toMembers before the Competition.

13.1.3 Information to visitors
The Competition Organizer is responsible for providing information to Competition visitors.

13.2 Member communications
Communications (marketing, media, and public relations) activities in individual Member countries andregions is left to the discretion of the Members themselves. However, the Competition Organizer
supports other Members’ communications work in those areas defined by the Memorandum ofUnderstanding (MOU) between the Competition Organizer and WorldSkills International.

13.3 Filming and photography
13.3.1 Media
Before the Competition
Filming or photography in the halls/buildings and workshops before the start of the Competition isstrictly prohibited for all persons except WorldSkills Official Media.

During the Competition
Filming or photography at workstations during the Competition is subject to the approval of the Skill
Competition Manager responsible for the skill competition, if necessary, in agreement with the Board
members responsible for Competitions Committee leadership or Director of Skills Competitions.
Filming or photographing Test Projects or project components during the Competition and discussionof these with Competitors before the end of the Competition is strictly prohibited for all persons
except official WorldSkills media personnel.
Visitors may film and photograph the skill competitions for their own private use. They may notcommunicate with anyone inside the workshop.

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13.3.2 Other accredited personnel
Before the Competition
Filming or photography in the workshops or at the workstations before the start of the Competition is
subject to the skill-specific rules in the Technical Description. Exceptions may be granted with approvalof the Board members responsible for Competitions Committee leadership, CEO, Director of Skills
Competitions, or the Director of Marketing and Communications.

During the Competition
Filming and photography in the workshops or at the workstations during the Competition is subject tothe skill-specific rules in the Technical Description.

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14 Health, Safety, and Environment
14.1 Competition Organizer
The Competition Organizer must produce Health and Safety documentation for the event. The
Competition Organizer is responsible for ensuring that all infrastructure, equipment, and setup is fullycompliant with
• Relevant Host country/region legislation• The individual WorldSkills Health, Safety, and Environment Policy and Regulations for skill
competitions

14.1.1 Training and implementation
The Competition Organizer must liaise with the Skill Management Teams to provide Experts,
Competitors and all other personnel who may be in the workshop with the information and training
required to ensure a safe Competition.

14.1.2 Health, Safety, and Environment Agreement
On completion of training and prior to any equipment being used in the workshops, persons who havereceived Health, Safety, and Environment training are required to sign the Health, Safety, andEnvironment Agreement. The Competition Organizer’s Health, Safety, and Environment representative
countersigns these forms.
All accredited personnel must comply with the following regulations at all times, including whenpacking up after the Competition:• Health, Safety, and Environment regulations specified by the Competition Organizer• WorldSkills Health, Safety, and Environment Policy and Regulations for skill competitions• There is one WorldSkills Health, Safety, and Environment Policy and Regulations document for eachskill competition

14.1.3 Quality audits
Audit teams for Health, Safety, and Environment conduct quality audits, taking into account the
Health, Safety, and Environment regulations laid out in these Competition Rules.

14.2 Members
Where a Member’s national Health, Safety, and Environment regulations are higher or stricter than the
hosting country’s regulations, the higher/stricter regulations will apply to that Member at theCompetition.

14.3 Technical Delegates
The Technical Delegate is responsible for ensuring that all compatriot Competitors and compatriot
Experts have been briefed on the correct information about the Competition Organizer’s Health,
Safety, and Environment regulations and the WorldSkills Health, Safety, and Environment Policy andRegulations before the Competition.

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14.4 Experts
Where a Member’s national Health, Safety, and Environment regulations are higher or stricter than theCompetition Organizer’s regulations, the compatriot Expert must apply the higher/stricter regulations
for their Competitor at the Competition.

14.5 Skill Management Team, Experts, and Workshop Manager
Skill Management Teams, Experts, and Workshop Managers are responsible for planning and running
the skill competitions in compliance with
• Host country/region regulations• Their own Member country/region specific national regulations (if more stringent than the Hostcountry/region)• Health, Safety, and Environment requirements in the WorldSkills Health, Safety, and Environment
Policy and Regulations• Skill-specific requirements in the Technical Description
They are also responsible for ensuring that Experts, Competitors, and other personnel comply withabove regulations.

14.6 WorldSkills Secretariat
The WorldSkills Secretariat must produce and maintain the documentation for Health, Safety, andEnvironment Policy and Regulations for skill competitions.
Documentation must include accurate information on testing and approval of Competitors’ electrical
hand tools brought to the Competition. All Health, Safety, and Environment documentation must be
available on the website at C-6 months.

14.7 Audit teams
Audit teams for Health, Safety, and Environment shall conduct quality audits taking these Competition
Rules into account.

14.8 Sustainability
14.8.1 Policy and procedures
All activities associated with the Competition must be carried out in accordance with the WorldSkills
International Sustainability Policy which documents the key sustainability principles of the five Rs:
reduce, recycle, reuse, reformat, and regenerate.

14.8.2 WorldSkills Secretariat
The WorldSkills Secretariat is responsible for implementing the key sustainability principles in all
initiatives led by WorldSkills International.

14.8.3 Competition Organizer
The Competition Organizer is responsible for implementing the key sustainability principles andinitiatives in the procurement of infrastructure and their choice of Competition venue andaccommodation packages.

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14.8.4 Technical Delegates
Technical Delegates must ensure that skill competition formats and equipment brought byCompetitors or supplied by the Competition Organizer support sustainability principles and initiatives.

14.8.5 Experts
Experts are responsible for planning and running their skill competitions in accordance with the key
sustainability principles and initiatives, including in the development of the skill competition, Test
Project design and required infrastructure.

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15 Pilot Projects
15.1 Definition and purpose
A Pilot Project is a project designed to improve an aspect of the WorldSkills Competition. Pilot Projects
are agreed and specified by the Competitions Committee, trialled (piloted) on a small scale at the next
WorldSkills Competition, and then reviewed against previously established criteria.
The purpose of a Pilot Project is to test an idea for improvement on a small scale (thus limiting
exposure) to establish whether the idea should be adopted competition-wide.
Any Technical Delegate may propose a Pilot Project to the Competitions Committee Management
Team, which then presents it to the Competitions Committee Working Group for further
development. The proposal is then presented to the Competitions Committee for acceptance. If
accepted, the proposal is trialled at the next WorldSkills Competition.
After the Competition, Pilot Projects and their outcomes are reviewed by relevant Technical Delegate(s)and the Competitions Committee Management Team. The outcomes and recommendations arepresented to the Competitions Committee, which makes a recommendation to the General Assembly.

15.2 Using English-only in skill competitions
WorldSkills skill competitions reflect global occupations so the natural progression to ensure
WorldSkills relevance to global industry is to adopt an English-only policy for the conduct of skill
competitions where English is already the standard for the occupation and/or industry worldwide.
Research conducted was presented to the Competitions Committee meeting in October 2021. The
Competitions Committee and subsequently the General Assembly agreed to conduct a Pilot Project at
WSC2024 in four skill competitions. The outcomes of this Pilot Project will be reviewed after WSC2024
to determine if the use of English only be continued at the following Competition and whether
additional skill competitions shall be considered to follow.

15.2.1 Measures and principles
The following measures and principles will be
•
•
•
•
•

Experts may have Interpreters for meetings
Assessment is conducted in English-only
Test Project and the Mark Summary Form documents may be translatedInterpreters may be present during the Test Project briefing for Competitors
Documents to be completed by Competitors as part of completing the Test Project shall be
produced in English and not translated.
• The quality of written and spoken English cannot be assessed – only the technical/skill specificcontent.

15.2.2 Implementation process
An implementation process will be developed and provided to the Members, their Experts andCompetitors registered in the following four skill competitions:••••

Hotel Reception
Freight Forwarding
Restaurant Service
Aircraft Maintenance

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The Director of Skills Competitions will work with the respective Skill Competition Managers on theimplementation process in the lead-up to and at the Competition.

15.3 Test Project translation using AI
Competitors have the right to receive the Test Project in the language of their choice. For thoserequiring translation of their Test Project it is generally translated by the Interpreter or the compatriot
Expert during the preparation days of the Competition. For a number of skill competitions thetranslation takes many hours which is completed within the limited hours available.
Various online tools and translation software were researched and tested and a company called
Smartcat proved to be the most accurate for WSI needs. Smartcat has an AI based translation processthat is combined with human review to quality assure the translations.
This was presented to the Competitions Committee meeting in Dublin in September 2023. The
Competitions Committee and subsequently the General Assembly agreed to conduct a Pilot Project at
WSC2024 in five to seven skill competitions. The outcomes of this Pilot Project will be reviewed after
WSC2024.

15.3.1 Measures and principles
The following measures and principles will be:• Test Project documents will be translated prior to the Competition into the required languages• Interpreters are allowed in the workshops as usual for any further communication• Each AI based Test Project translation is to be reviewed by an independent translator with therequired background and skill set• Translator acting as reviewer and proofreader is organized via the Smartcat platform• The translation process will be managed by WSI so no Member country/region will be involved into
the TP translation process

15.3.2 Implementation process• For the Pilot Project Members who require translation for their Competitors will have to indicate
this need to WSI when registering the Competitor.
• Should this Pilot Project be fully implemented for WSC2026 a small fee will be added to theMembers package for the proofreading translator. For WSC2024 there is no cost to Members.
• When the Test Project is being presented to Experts and Competitors at the Competition, the pretranslated and proofread Test Project documents are given to Competitors in the language of theirchoice.
The Pilot Project will be conducted in five to seven skill competitions at WSC2024.

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Appendix 1
Competition milestones and timeline
ABBREVIATION

ROLE

CO

Competition Organizer

M

MemberOD

Official Delegate

TD

Technical Delegate

CEO

Chief Executive Officer

DSC

Director of Skills Competitions

CCL

Board members responsible for Competitions Committee leadership

SCM

Skill Competition Manager

SMT

Skill Management Team

CE

Chief Expert

EL

Expert LeadE

ExpertC

Competitor

WM, WSM

Workshop Manager, Workshop Sector Manager

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General Assembly

C-12 months

Deadline for approval ofCompetitor age limit exceptions
by Competitions Committee
and ratification by GA.

C-12 months

Technical Descriptions available
on the website in English.

⚫

C-12 months

Provisional Registration⚫

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WM, WSMThe list of all approved CEs shallbe published prior to the CC
meeting 12 months before theCompetition.

C

C-12.5 months

E

WorldSkills International seeks
support from each TechnicalDelegate for their Expert(s) to
be designated CE

EL

C-14 months

CE

Pre-Provisional Registration

SMT

C-15 months

SCM

SCM works with theCompetition Organizer and the
Director of Skills Competitions.

CCL

C-21 months
to C+1 month

DSC

The SCM is appointed byWorldSkills for the next
Competition through an
expression of interest and an
application process immediately
following a Competition.

⚫

CEO

C-21 months

TD

The Director of Skills
Competitions will advise eachTechnical Delegate of thenomination of the compatriot
Experts who have been
nominated the CE for the next
Competition and seek
provisional support.

OD

C-22 months

M

TASK

CO

DEADLINE

⚫

⚫

⚫

⚫

⚫

⚫

⚫

⚫

⚫

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⚫

C-9 months

Deadline for registration ofExperts by Member, else
involvement of that Expert inpreparation and assessment at
the Competition is at discretionof SMT.

⚫

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WM, WSM

Expert and Technical Delegate
details must be provided (toensure participation in skill
competition development andpreparation, such as Discussion
Forums).

C

C-9 months

E

Workshop (Sector) Managers
and SCM must cease all skillspecific training of the national
competitor or squad.

EL

C-12 months
orannouncementof Competitor
squad,
whichever isearlier⚫

CE

Competition Organizer presents
Accreditation Packages(developed with CEO) to theMembers⚫

SMT

C-12 months⚫

SCM

Deadline for Members toundertake Provisional
Registration for their selectedskill competitions

CCL

C-12 months

DSC

Members advised of final
selection of skill competitions⚫

CEO

C-12 months+1 week

TD

Final selection of skills for theWorldSkills Competition by the
Board members responsible forCompetitions Committee
leadership, WSI CEO and
Director of Skills Competitions,and the Competition
Organizer’s Technical Director.

OD

C-12 months

M

TASK

CO

DEADLINE

⚫
⚫

⚫

⚫

⚫

⚫

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C-3 months

Members ensure that new
Experts complete the two
mandatory training modules.

C-4 months

Definitive Registration⚫

C-4 months

Members finalize registrations(skill competitions they will
participate in). No further
changes may be made without
the permission of theCompetition Organizer and the
WSI Director of Skills
Competitions.

⚫

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WM, WSM

Circulation of circulated Test
Projects

C

C-6 to C-3monthsE

The Ethics Committee (Chair
and two delegates) appointed.
The two delegates are drawn
from a panel of current Official
Delegates, Honorary Members,or persons with appropriate
experience appointed by the
Board.

EL

C-6 months

CE

All Health, Safety, andEnvironment documentation
available on the website

SMT

C-6 months

SCM

Workshop Manager and Skill
Competition Manager finalize
Infrastructure List at CPW

CCL≈ C-8 to C-6
months

DSC

Competition Preparation
Week (CPW)CEO≈ C-8 to C-6
monthsTD

Competition Organizer must
provide all TDs and Es withdetailed information onmachines, equipment and tools
in the Infrastructure Lists as per
Competitions Committee
decisionsOD

C-9 months

M

TASK

CO

DEADLINE

⚫

⚫

⚫

⚫

⚫

⚫

⚫

⚫

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⚫

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C-4 to C-1

Preparation period

C-4 to C-1

Experts finalize Test Project andorganize translation into
compatriot Competitor’s
language of choice

C-4 to C-1

Mandatory assessment training
for Experts.

⚫

⚫

C-3

Deadline for Experts’ decisionon 30% change (for circulated
Test Projects)

⚫

⚫

C-2

Familiarization

⚫

⚫

⚫

C-2 to C4

Toolbox Check

⚫

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WM, WSMAll Experts, Competitors anddelegates shall have 100% inExpert, Competitor, Delegate
CentresC

C-1 monthE

Start of nomination,
election, and approval of CE

EL

C-2 months

CE

Deadline for provision ofCompetitor, Team Leader,Interpreter, Official Delegate,
and Official Observer details

SMT

C-2 months

⚫

SCM

⚫

CCL

Deadline for approval of theBoard members responsible forCompetitions Committee
leadership and the Director of
Skills Competitions forextension of 5-8 hours’
familiarization time forCompetitors.

DSC

C-3 months

CEO

⚫

TD

Interpreters randomly assigned
to the Member’s skill
competitions

OD

C-4 months

M

TASK

CO

DEADLINE

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Sub Criteria from previous day(C1 to C3) the entered into the
CIS, approved, and Mark Entry
Acceptance Form signed off by
the Experts by 12 noon.

⚫

⚫

⚫

C4, 22:00

Sub Criteria from C4 enteredinto the CIS.

⚫

⚫

⚫

C+1, 10:00

Sub Criteria from C4 approved
and signed off by the Experts.

⚫

⚫

⚫

C4

Experts sign the Mark Entry
Acceptance Form.

⚫

⚫

⚫

C4, 18:00

The election of the CE for the
next Competition commences.

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WM, WSME

Deadline for CEs of skills with
non-modular Test Projects toobtain approval of the Skill
Competition Manager and thenof the Board members
responsible for Competitions
Committee leadership and the
Director of Skills Competitions
for an extension of time.

C

EL

C2

CE

Observers, media and generalpublic permitted to accessCompetition site⚫

SMT

C1 to C4⚫

SCM

Deadline for SMT to apply in
writing to Board members
responsible for Competitions
Committee leadership for avariation of assessment
procedure

CCL

C1

DSC

Workshop Manager present in
the workshop area.

CEO

C-4 to C+1

TD

TDs ensure that all accredited
personnel achieve 100%
completion of their assigned
tasks in the Delegate Centre

OD

C-1

M

TASK

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DEADLINE⚫

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Expert Lead ensures all changes
to the TD are complete, agreed
to, and signed by at least 80%of the Experts, and delivered to
the Secretariat in digital form

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WM, WSMThe election of the CE for the
next Competition ends.

C

C+1, 14:00

E

Competitions Committee
confirms the results.

EL

C+1

CE

Director of Skills Competitions
ensures that all penalties
affecting results have been
applied before the results are
circulated to the TDs and ODs
for review prior to the GA

SMT

C+1

SCM

⚫

CCL

The CIS sign-off form from C4must be received.

DSC

C+1, 10:00

CEO

⚫

TD

Assessment and the entry ofmarks into the CIS completed.

OD

C4, 22:00

M

TASK

CO

DEADLINE

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Revisions
Version

Date

Changes

10.0

08.01.24

Removal of all special additions for WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition(WSC2022SE) throughout document.
Updated name of the Organizing Guides to Event Manuals throughout document.
Removal of the role of Deputy Chief Expert throughout document.
3.3

Addition of WorldSkills International to have an option to introduce an
exhibition skill.

3.4

Removal of footnote explaining minimum Competitors/Teams.

3.5.1

Replaced chart using updated event names and dates.
Updated working group name to “Competitions of the future Advisory
Group”.

3.6

Updated heading to new name of Advisory Group.

6.11

Removal of Rail Vehicle Technology.

6.2.3

Change to Team Leader access into workshops – must now request accessrather than have unlimited access.

6.3

Change to Skill Management Team make up. Removal of Deputy ChiefExperts and addition of two or more Expert Leads (EL).

6.4

Change to SCM experience to include Expert Lead.

6.5.5

Change in time for election commencement to 12:00 on C+1.

6.6

Removal of Deputy Chief Expert role and replaced with Expert Lead.

6.7.2

Additional Expert qualification required to have a working knowledge of
the CIS, development of the Test Project and Marking Scheme, and theWorldSkills Occupational Standards.

6.7.6

Change to date for Expert submission of CVs. Now C-6 months.

6.17.3

Additional of more information to describe Member Organization Support
Observer roles.

6.17.6

Additional Observer role of Member Media explained.

6.17.7CEO of National Skill Organization role explained.

6.20

Addition of Lead Skill Advisor role.

7.3.3

Change to scheduled compatriot communication to 15 minutes in themorning only.

9.3

Removal of colour for secret items.

10.10.1 Change to distribution of Mark Summary Form depending on the formatof the skill competition.
11.2.1

Change to approver of weighting variations to the Lead Skill Advisor.

11.5.3Update that clarifies that a marking team will mark all Aspects within theallotted Sub Criterion for every Competitor.

11.5.6

Added clarity around removing the maximum mark from Marking Forms
before use by the marking team.

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Changes
11.5.7

Added text regarding transcribing: no marks or scores may be altered in
the absence of the marking team.

11.5.8Addition of text that no external tools such as spreadsheets may be used
when using a calculation to determine marks. CIS functionality must be
used.

11.6.2

Addition of details from the Excellence in Marking Pilot Project from
WSC2019.

11.6.3

Additional of details on dual assessment and marking for bothmeasurement and judgement.

11.7.1

Update to text to ensure checking of forms by a non-compatriot Expert.

11.7.2Update to include the text: Experts are not shown the results for their skill
competition prior to the Closing Ceremony.

11.9

Update to exclude skill competitions with less than the minimum numberof registered Members required for a first time Official Skill from theMember Comparison Reports.

11.10.4 Inclusion of text from Standing Orders that a Best of Nation award can
only be awarded if there are Competitors in at least two skill competitions.
11.10.5 Addition of text: Skill competitions with less than the minimum number ofregistered Members required for a first time Official Skill shall not be
considered for the Albert Vidal Award.
15.2

Addition of the WSC2024 Pilot project: Using English-only in skill
competitions.

9.3.1

16.09.22

15.2

Removal of the WSC2022 Pilot Project.

9.3

29.08.22

1.5

Addition of text noting that Competition milestones and timelines may not
be relevant for WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition(WSC2022SE).

3.7.6

Addition of text noting that the skills on notice rule will not be in place for
WSC2022SE.

6.1.2

Updates for WSC2022 are now updates for WSC2022SE.

6.2.2

Note for WSC2022SE that additional Team Leaders may be registered.

6.3

Note for WSC2022SE that skill competitions may be conducted with onlya CE and DCE or with only an SCM and a CE.

6.5.5

Note for WSC2022SE added regarding eligibility for SMT.

6.7.4

Note for WSC2022SE regarding change of date for completion of
mandatory training elements.

6.9

Note for WSC2022SE that additional Technical Delegate Assistants may beregistered.

6.11.1

Note for WSC2022SE that former and current Technical Delegates are
eligible for appointment as CCD.

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Changes
6.11.2

Note for WSC2022SE regarding consequences for not performing CCD
role.

10.12

Update to Translation preparation period from “C-4 to C-1” to“C-3 to C-1”.

11.2.1

Note for WSC2022SE that a greater tolerance will be permitted to WSOS
weightings.

11.7.1

Paragraph on approval and sign off moved to Completion ofassessment and marking section.

11.7.2

Note for WSC2022SE regarding results sign off timing.

11.10.1 Added clarification that medals are awarded based on who comes first,
second, and third on the WorldSkills Scale.
Note for WSC2022SE that skill competitions with four or less registrations
will not award all medals.
11.10.5 Note for WSC2022SE that the Albert Vidal Award will not be awarded.
11.10.6 Change in section name to Digital badge for participation.

9.2

9.1

01.03.22

19.11.21

12

Note for WSC2022SE that policies, rules, and principles remain in place
and process will be updated to allow remote resolution.

6.1.5

Addition of text to Duty of Care section.

6.7.4

Updated text to include returning Experts who were not at the previous
competition to complete the mandatory elements.

8.1

Updated and added elements to the content and scope of Technical
Descriptions.

15.2

Addition of WSC2022 Pilot Project.

1.4

Updated wording to include the Code of Ethics and Conduct, andremoved the phrase “and all other official Competition documentation”.

2.3.1

Changed text from “At C-9 months” to “From C-9 months”.

3.1.3

Changed text from “volatility” to “instability”.

3.1.7

Removed the word “current”.

3.4

Added footnote to define minimum as registered Competitors/Teams.
Added “6” as the first year minimum for Official Team skills

3.5.1

Added text to include Partners to those proposing a new Official Skill.

3.7.4

Added text to cover both first and second time minimum registrations forteam skills.

3.7.7

Added text to include Partners to those proposing a new Official Skill.

4.1

Extended the list for registration at stage 1 to include “CEO of National
Skills Organization, Team Leaders, Official Observers, Observers,
Interpreters, Communications Officers, Member Organization Support
personnel, and Member Observers.”

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5.4.2

Updated text to include “and/or Competitor”.

6.1.2

Changed the name of the skill “Building Information Modelling” to“Digital Construction”.

6.3

Added the text “Each member of the SMT shall be from a different
country/region.”

6.5.1

Updated text for clarity on written and spoken English communication
skills

6.7.4

Added the text “a mandatory element as well as a supplementary element
for further learning. The estimated learning time is 20 hours per element”
to describe the content of the mandatory testing.
Added information on availability of the supplementary elements.

6.7.6

Added text to indicate time frame and relevance to CV submission.

6.7.14

Added the text “Decisions and vote results are to be recorded by the Skill
Competition Manager or Chief Expert using the Decisions, Actions, and/or
Agreement form located at
http://skill-management.worldskills.org” regarding decisions made on the
Discussion Forum.

6.11

Added the text “It is a mandatory requirement that every TechnicalDelegate fulfils the responsibilities of the Competitions Committee
Delegate.”

6.12

Updated text to include the number of skills competitions overseen by the
CCDL.

6.17

Added new sections to describe the additional observer types: Member
Organization Support, Member Observers, and Communications Officers.

6.24

Removed text regarding the appointment of substitute TechnicalDelegates for Board members.

7.1.3

Added exceptions about timely provision of the Test Project where skill
competitions may be in rotating shifts.

7.3.3

Added information about Experts who have not completed mandatory
preparedness still being able to participate in compatriot communication.
Clarified that Experts are not able to give any help interpreting Test
Projects that are already circulated.

9.7.1

Added new text “Approvals shall be listed in the decisions log. See section
6.7.14.” regarding bringing equipment not listed in the Infrastructure List.
Added new text “provided unless it has been agreed with the Director of
Skills Competitions that a duplicate tool can be brought by theCompetitor, and it is listed in the Infrastructure List” regarding
Competitors bringing their own equipment that is provided by theCompetition Organizer.

10.2

Added new text “Exceptions may be approved by the Director of Skills
Competitions.”

10.6

Specified the time frame of C-2 months for provision of Test Project proofof function, construction, or completion.

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Changes
11.6.5

Changed text from “appointed” to “approved” regarding independent
assessors.
Added new text ”including completion of the Access Programme elements
related to assessment” regarding preparation of independent assessors.

9.0

18.02.21

Updated name of Strategic Development Committee, Board members responsible
for Competitions Committee leadership, and WorldSkills Occupational Standards
throughout document.
1.4

Updated wording to refer to the Health, Safety, and Environment Policy
and Guideline.

2.1.1

Updated makeup of the Competition Management Team.

3.1.1

Updated reference to “standard” from “specification”.

3.1.11

Added new section on Skill competitions with no nominated CE or
DCE and/or appointed SCM.

3.2.1

Removed “Host Member Skills” from selection order.

3.5.1

Updated chart for next Competition. Updated steps to include Partners.
Updated steps about presentation times.

3.7

Updated wording in table to “Maintains Official Status”.

4.1

Added text to step 4: “Full details of Interpreters must be provided by C-4months”.

5.1

New section on Obligations by Members.

6.1.1

Added additional team skills: Cyber Security (2), Industry 4.0 (2), Rail
Vehicle Technology (2), and Robot Systems Integration (2).

6.1.2

Addition of Additive Manufacturing, Building Information Modelling,
Industrial Design Technology, Industry 4.0, Optoelectronic Technology,
and Robot Systems Integration to the age limit exception.
Added update for WSC2022 only.

6.1.3

Additional text: “Competitors cannot compete in a different skill at a
subsequent WorldSkills Competition.”

6.4.1

Additional text to clarify Member organization alliance: “with regard totechnical training of a Competitor/Team competing at the forthcoming
Competition.”

6.4.2

Removed Expert with Special Responsibilities.

6.4.3

Additional text “for the forthcoming WorldSkills Competition”, and “Theymay also participate in regional competitions held up to 12 months prior
to the WorldSkills Competition.”

6.7.3

Removed text: “An Expert cannot be affiliated to a third party, such as asponsor.”

6.7.4

Added update for WSC2022 only.

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Updated text for Experts who have not completed the mandatory
modules: “... not permitted to participate in the marking process. They
have modified duties that involve the running of the skill competition.”
6.9

Updated text ” … support a Technical Delegate to carry out their duties”.

6.11.1

Additional eligibility requirements for CCDs.

6.12

New section on Competitions Committee Delegate Lead (CCDL).

6.14.2

Additional text: “These may be appointed from Global Partners or event
sponsors. They cannot be appointed if they work for a company or agent
in conflict with a Global Partner or event sponsor.”

6.17

Additional and updated text to define Observers.

Removal of old sections 6.27 Ethics committee and 6.28 Appeals Committee.
8.1

Additional text on description: “Reference for Industry consultation”.

8.4.1

Moved existing text to new section Experts review.

8.4.2

New section on Quality assurance, consultation, and updating.

10.1

Additional text: “… demonstrate occupational excellence. The Test Project
must capture the context, purpose, processes, and outcomes of an
occupation, and in doing so support the implementation of the Marking
Scheme.”

10.4

Updated text on CAD drawing specifications.

10.5

Changed text from “draft Assessment Criteria” to “Marking Scheme”

10.6

Updated text on quality assurance control.

10.7

Updated text: “The Skill Advisor must be engaged at the design concept
stage. After that, according to the need, their expertise, and availability,
another trusted individual may undertake one, two, or all threesubsequent stages of QAC"
Updated table to include “Design concept” column.

10.10.2 Updated text relevant to circulation of Test Projects with 30% change.
10.11

Updated definition on non-modular Test Projects.

10.11.2 Updated text on Modular Test Projects.
10.12

Updated text: “For Test Projects developed by the Experts, including the
30% change”.

11.1.1

Removed definition for “Marks”.

11.5.6

Additional text: “To eliminate the potential for bias: when in use, the SCM
may request to remove the maximum mark per Aspect from Marking
Forms.”

11.5.9Changed section name to Variation of Marking Scheme.

11.6.2

Additional text: “Here and below, the Rules use ‘Expert’ to refer to judges
and members of marking teams. This is normally but not necessarily thecase, since other qualified and independent people may act as judges. Rule11.6.5 refers.”

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11.6.4

New section on Variation for specified instances.

11.6.7

Updated text to “in the range from 0 to 3”.

11.6.8Updated text to “tablet or computer”.

11.7.1

Updated text to “tablet or computer”.
Additional text: “If handwritten marking forms are not in use it is notnecessary for the Experts to review the PDF given the main purpose …”.
Removed the option to sign the “Final Mark Entry Acceptance Form”.
Additional text: “Approval and sign-off for all assessment must be received
by the CIS team by 10:00 on C+1. An Expert who is not present in theworkshop on C+1 forfeits the right to review, approve, and sign-off thecompatriot Competitor Marking Forms. In these cases, the Expert’s
absence is documented, and their compatriot Competitor’s results are
signed-off by the SMT. If an Expert refuses to sign-off their compatriot
Competitor’s results after all disputes are closed, then this is documented
and the results are signed-off by the SMT.”

11.7.5Additional text: “Appeals concerning results shall be accepted until 10:00
on C+1. Once ratified by the General Assembly (after the Competitions
Committee meeting that checks and confirms the results), the results are
final and there shall be no further right of appeal. If clear evidence that amajor error took place that deprived a Competitor of an award ispresented to the CEO or to the Board members responsible forCompetition Leadership within one week of the Closing Ceremony, thenan appeal will be considered. In such a case, the final decision will bemade by the Board within a further week. Note: no appeals will beconsidered that relate to marking or mark entry as this is the responsibilityof the compatriot Expert to check and sign-off before 10:00 on C+1.
(Refer to 11.7.1)."

11.9

Updated name of result reports to remove the word “score”.

11.10.2 Replace term “tied” with “equally placed”.
11.10.4 Additional text: “The Best of Nation cannot be a Competitor who hasbreached the skill-specific rules or Competition Rules and received either
600 points or 5 points less than the lowest score of the lowest scoring
Competitor across all skill competitions, whichever is lowest, and/or aCompetitor who has breached the Code of Ethics and Conduct."12

Adjustment of the event period to C-6 to C+1.
Addition of text within section to include appointed or assigned people.

12.2

Additional text: “Any penalty to be applied must be done in consultation
with the Competitions Committee Management Team.”

12.3

Updated terms to “criminal based” and “civil based”
Additional text: “to substantiate the claim” added to burden of proof

12.4

Updated process filenames.

12.4.1

Updated terms to include “considered” and “alleged”.

12.4.3Updated text to “Misuse of personal information regarding delegates".

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12.4.4

Replaces “Event Information Centre” with “Director of Skills
Competitions”.

12.4.5

Updated text regarding allocation of disputes.

12.4.8Updated text on the role of the Investigation Agent.

12.5.1

Updated text on communication and penalty application.

12.5.2Updated text on communication and penalty application.

12.5.4

Changed time from “17:00” to “18:00”.

12.6

Updated text to include “using the balance of probabilities“ and remove“clear and unambiguous”.
Changed text to “… or 5 points lower then the Competitor with the least
amount of points across all skill.”
Additional text: “If the Expert breach or decision regarding it occurs on C4
and dismissing that Expert at this time is considered to have little or no
impact, then a penalty on the Member relating to the dispute can also be
considered."

12.7.1

Removed text “and with an adequate and proportionate amount of
rigour”.

12.9

Changed section name to Appointment of Ethics and Appeal
Committees.

12.9.1

New section Pool.

12.9.2Updated text on composition and appointment.

12.9.3Updated text on composition and appointment.

15

Removal of WSC2019 Pilot Projects.

Appendix 1. Changed to C-3 months for when Members ensure that new Experts
complete the two mandatory training modules.
Removed “Final Mark Entry Acceptance Form” from the task on C4
8.2

27.07.19

Updated document template for current branding.
3

Addition of text for Skill competitions to be hosted section.

6.1.3

Updated wording to “A Competitor is limited to competing in one Official
Skill at one WorldSkills Competition. Exceptional circumstances may beconsidered by the Board.”

6.5.2

Additional text: “Decisions are to be recorded by the Skill Competition
Manager or Chief Expert using the Decisions, Actions, and/or Agreement
form located at http://skill-management.worldskills.org”

6.7.6

Additional bullet to the Before the Competition section: “Submit their
Curriculum Vitae to WorldSkills International via their Technical Delegate
At the Competition”

7.3.2

Clarification of time extension in that it is granted to all Competitors.

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7.3.3

Additional text in During competition time section: “…without thepresence of a non-compatriot Expert giving their agreement that they may
communicate with their Competitor.”

7.3.5

Added cross reference to section 6.1.3.

9.3

Added details of colour coded system for the Infrastructure List.

10.6

Replaced Validation section with new Quality assurance and control
section.

10.7

New section on Timetable and personnel.

11.10.2 Changed “700 scale” to “WorldSkills Scale”.
11.10.3 New section on Medallion for Excellence.
11.10.4 New section on Best of Nation.
11.10.5 New section on Albert Vidal Award.
11.10.6 New section on Certificate of Participation.

8.1

8.0

18.01.19

11.01.19

12Addition of text for Dispute resolution section.

6.1.2

Addition of Cyber Security, Cloud Computing, and Water Technology tothe age limit exception.

6.1.3

Updated wording to “A Competitor may only compete in an official skill
competition once.”

6.5.5

Insertion of footnote to table: “Exceptions to this schedule must havebeen agreed previously with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Competitions
Committee.

Combined <WSI_OD03A_competition_rules_organization_v7.1_EN> and<WSI_OD03B_competition_rules_skill_competitions_v7.0_EN> into one document.

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