Lao team delivered a strong showing amidst intense competition

Laos has picked up a silver medal at the 13th World Skills Asean Competition taking place in Singapore from July 22-27, which serves as a platform to strengthen skills standards in the Asean region to international levels.

Lao contestants gather on stage at the World Skills Asean Competition in Singapore.

The silver medal came from a strong performance in the electrical installation contest. In addition, Lao contestants have received 24 Asean skills-standards certificates for their efforts during 10 previous attendances at the World Skills Asean Competition.
The Lao team took part in the tests with focus, resilience and absolute determination. Their successful attempts were an encouraging sign for a nation where skills are key to future successes, labour officials said.
The event was attended by the Director General of the Lao-Korea Skills Development Institute, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, Dr Bounma Sitthisom, and representatives of donors and international organisations.
Some 187 skilled workers from Asean member states took part in the competition this year.
Ten Lao contestants competed in five out of 22 skills fields, namely graphics design, web technology, fashion technology, electrical installation and cooking. They were accompanied by 11 experts, five trainers, five interpreters and seven supporting staff.
Dr Bounma said the Lao team delivered a strong showing amidst intense competition, winning a silver medal in the electrical installation competition.
He said the results reflect the high standard of skills among Lao youth and the ministry was encouraged by their strong performance on the regional stage.
“For all of them, this is the start of their skills development journey and we hope that this competition will spur them on to scale greater heights,” he added.
The competition was opened on July 22 by the President of Singapore, Halimah Yacob, in the presence of diplomats, experts, trainers and competitors from the Asean member states,
The World Skills Asean Competition is a biennial event and an opportunity for young people around Southeast Asia to showcase their talents and abilities in various skill categories.
First held in 1995 in Malaysia, the competition aims to promote and upgrade skills standards in the Asean region to an international level, as well as to motivate young people to develop their skills to higher standards.
It also provides an opportunity for the sharing of knowledge, expertise and experience among delegates from member countries.
Singapore first participated in the World Skills Asean Competition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2008, and has since been participating in the competition every two years.

By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
 (Latest Update July 27, 2023)