250,000 spectators who drive over 1,600 participants from more than 65 countries in 59 professions to achieve top performance: in mid-September, the French trade fair and congress center Eurexpo Lyon will be transformed into a stage for the best “young professionals” (skilled specialists under the age of 22) in the world. In the middle of the showcase of professional skills: a trio from Tyrol who want to achieve great things in the “Grande Nation”. While Stefan Moser (from Wildschönau, works at Novartis in Kundl) is fighting for gold among the chemical laboratory technicians, Benjamin Laiminger from Itter and Thomas Sojer from Söll (both work for “Der Gärtner Laiminger” in Hopfgarten) are competing in the garden design team competition.
Here you will find detailed participant portraits: https://tinyurl.com/2547b2bv
WKO specialist coordinator Narr: “Ambassador of our country”
For David Narr, specialist coordinator for the Tyrol Chamber of Commerce, it is already clear at the official presentation of Tyrol’s medal hopes: “Every single one of our World Cup participants is an ambassador for our country and a pioneer of the professional future! At the World Professional Championships they show the world that Tyrol not only stands for tradition, but also for innovation, progress and, above all, first-class professional training. Our trio is a role model who shows young people that professional training, determination and hard work are the key to success. With passion and commitment, our talented top specialists continue to impressively demonstrate how to achieve top performance.”
In fact, the 32 participations of Austrian teams in WorldSkills so far have produced many outstanding achievements: nine gold, seven silver and seven bronze medals at WorldSkills go to Tyrol. At the top of the Austrian federal state comparison is Vorarlberg (20 x gold, 15 x silver and 10 x bronze) ahead of Upper Austria (19 x gold, 15 x silver and 18 x bronze) and Styria (13 x gold, 11 x silver and 13 x Bronze).
Trio is well prepared
So that Tyrol’s medal tally can be further expanded, nothing is left to chance: the trio – under the guidance of their own coaches – have been training every move for months, going through every scenario and also gaining international competition experience.
While Moser completed an international competition in Finland, Laiminger and Sojer even went to China: “In addition to the cultural aspects, the approach of other nations was particularly exciting for us. We definitely saw potential for improvements here,” explains Sojer. For example, when it comes to coordinating processes, Laiminger describes: “There is no time for discussions. We therefore divide the tasks precisely in advance, for example into paving and planting work. However, we do bigger things together, like building stone walls. Especially in team competitions, it’s important to know exactly each other’s strengths and weaknesses.”
Tyrolean strength field garden design
For Franz Jirka, division chairman for trade and crafts in the Tyrol Chamber of Commerce, it is clear: “Our garden designers are not only able to implement demanding and creative projects, but they also stand for precision, innovative strength and craftsmanship. Taking part in such prestigious competitions provides a fantastic opportunity to showcase these skills on an international stage and compete with the best of the best. We want to continue the success story of our garden designers at major professional events.” The division chairman also alludes to the successes in the discipline in the past: In 2021, Christoph Schipflinger from Itter (together with Stefan Winder from Vorarlberg) was crowned European champion, and in 2012 Dominik won Rechfelden and Martin Unterberger also won the European Championship title.
Fingers crossed for Tyrolean chemical laboratory technicians
Tyrol’s chemical laboratory technicians are no less successful: most recently, Caroline Pahle (with bronze at WorldSkills 2022) and Katharina Rübsamen (silver at the European Championships 2018) achieved success. World Cup participant Thomas Moser wants to further increase this medal account. In contrast to the Tyrolean garden designer duo, he is on his own in Lyon – at least almost. After all, there are still 250,000 spectators looking over the “young professional’s” shoulder while he analyses. However, the red-white-red World Cup starter doesn’t let any nerves arise: “During the four days of the competition you will need 100% focus. That’s why we also looked at mental strength during team training. “In addition to the specialist skills that are the basic prerequisite for a strong result, this is also needed,” says Moser.
A little luck will also be required for the really big coup. Markus Dax, a member of the Industry Division Conference, is keeping his fingers crossed for the chemical laboratory technician: “The participation of our young specialist in the World Skills Championships in Lyon is an impressive testament to the excellent training and the high level of professional qualifications in Austria. These young talents not only represent their homeland, but also the innovative spirit and future viability of our industry. Therefore: Toi toi toi, dear Stefan, Tyrol’s industry is behind you!”
WorldSkills: “Celebration of Professional Diversity”
Stefan Praschl, technical delegate of SkillsAustria and board member of WorldSkills International, can only confirm this. He explains: “One thing is already clear: the intensive preparation and professional training lead to impressive professional and personal development from which our local participants will benefit enormously. In the middle of this international stage, the Austrian World Cup starters not only experience the competition, but also the exchange with other cultures and innovations from all over the world. Participating in WorldSkills is a unique opportunity to demonstrate exceptional talent and extensive expertise in front of a global audience. This event is not just a competition, but a celebration of professional diversity.”
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Photos from the team’s presentation in Innsbruck (Credit: SkillsAustria/Die Photographers): https://www.flickr.com/photos/skillsaustria/albums/72177720319010627
- The garden design duo Thomas Sojer and Benedikt Laiminger want to conquer gold in Lyon
Garden designers – Thomas Sojer and Benedikt Laiminger | Flickr
- Wants to analyze his way to the top in the world: chemical laboratory technician Stefan Moser
Chemical laboratory technology – Stefan Moser | Team Austria WorldSkills… | Flickr
- The participants in portrait:
* Thomas Sojer and Benedikt Laiminger: https://is.gd/lE9JJu
* Chemical laboratory technician Stefan Moser: https://shorturl.at/CPuez
More about SkillsAustria:
SkillsAustria is a non-profit association and acts as an Austrian competence center for professional competitions and talent promotion in vocational training. Through career motivation and career orientation, we make a sustainable and active contribution to securing skilled workers.
SkillsAustria organizes AustrianSkills, the Austrian state championships for professions. As Team Austria, their winners represent the competence and perfection of young specialists in the international professional competitions EuroSkills & WorldSkills. Thanks to their outstanding achievements at national and international level, the participants are ambassadors for Austria as a training location and the figurehead for training companies and schools.
The commitment and successes of the Skills Heroes guide young people when choosing a career and motivate them to develop personally in their careers.
SkillsAustria turns passion into a career and the job into a passion.
We promote the future
The Austrian Chamber of Commerce has been a member of WorldSkills International since 1958 and has regularly sent an Austrian team to the international professional world championships since 1961. The WKÖ has also been a member of WorldSkills Europe since 2007. Austria has been participating in EuroSkills since the first European Championships in 2008.
SkillsAustria is financed by the WKÖ, the nine economic chambers in the federal states as well as the specialist organizations in the fields of trade and crafts, industry, tourism and leisure, information and consulting, trade and transport. The activities are co-financed by the Federal Ministry of Labor and Economic Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research. The SkillsAustria team is also supported by Giesswein Walkwaren AG, workwear engelbert strauss, Schütze Schuhe, Würth, WIFI Austria and the Professional Association for Personal Advice and Personal Care. (PWK294/CS/JHR)