MEDIA RELEASE

27 JULY

Singapore wins record medal haul at WorldSkills ASEAN 2023

SINGAPORE, 27 JULY 2023 – Team Singapore won a record number of 26 medals at the WorldSkills ASEAN 2023, with eight Gold medals, four Silver medals, eight Bronze medals and six Medallions for Excellence.

2        This places Singapore second out of the nine ASEAN Member States that participated. This is the best ranking that Singapore has achieved so far at the regional skills competition. Our previous record of 22 medals was achieved at the ASEAN competition in Malaysia, 2016.

3        For the first time, our youths clinched a Gold medal in the Internet of Things skills area, and Bronze medals in the Electrical Installations, Fashion Technology and Mobile Robotics skills areas. Team Singapore also achieved a Medallion for Excellence in the Rapid Transit Systems, which is a new category introduced at this year’s competition.

4        Please see the following for the medals won in the respective skills areas. Refer to Annexes A and B for more details on Team Singapore’s results and the medal tally of the participating ASEAN Member States respectively.

*Best of Nation award is presented to the highest scorer of each country.

5        Winners of the individual categories will receive cash prizes of $3,000 (Gold), $2,000 (Silver), and $1,000 (Bronze), while winning teams receive cash prizes of $4,500 (Gold), $3,000 (Silver), and $1,500 (Bronze).

6        At the closing ceremony held at Singapore Expo this evening, Guest of Honour, Minister of Education, Mr Chan Chun Sing, presented the Best of Nations medals to nine participants. The Best of Nation award is given to the highest scorer of each country. Second Minister for Education and Foreign Affairs, Dr Maliki Osman, presented the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals to the winners of the 22 skills areas.

7        Mr Tan Kok Yam, Chairman of the WorldSkills Singapore Council and Chief Executive of SkillsFuture Singapore, said: “Our young Team Singapore has pulled in yet another stellar performance, and we are proud of their achievements. They inspire us with their unwavering dedication to perfecting their craft and their resilience in performing under immense pressure. We hope that they will remain passionate and driven for life as they transit from school, into work and career.”

8        Mr Tan handed the WorldSkills ASEAN flag to The Philippines, who is the next host country for the regional skills competition in 2025. Singapore has plans to participate in the next regional competition.

9        WorldSkills ASEAN 2023 was organised by WorldSkills Singapore Office in collaboration with the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), as part of the SkillsFuture Festival 2023. Over 40 sponsors supported the skills competition.  WorldSkills ASEAN aims to promote skills excellence and raise skills standards among youths, as well as showcase opportunities in vocational training and education in the region.

10       This year, more than 180 youths from nine ASEAN Member States competed in 22 skills areas at WorldSkills ASEAN. Team Singapore was represented by 44 youths from the IHLs who competed in all 22 skills areas at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre from 23 July to 25 July. Refer to Annex C for the full list of Team Singapore participants and skills areas.

11       For more information, please visit www.worldskillsasean.org/2023/.

For media queries, please contact SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG):

Ms Jayne Tay                                                   

Contact: 9711 5809                                          

Email: jayne_tay@ssg.gov.sg                           

Ms Cheryl Leow

Contact: 8222 3804

Email: cheryl_leow@ssg.gov.sg

About WorldSkills ASEAN

Every two years, young talents from ASEAN Member States gather to showcase their talents and abilities in various skills categories at the WorldSkills ASEAN Competition. First held in 1995 in Malaysia, the WorldSkills ASEAN Competition aims to promote and upgrade skills standard in ASEAN region to an international level, as well as to motivate youths to develop their skills to meet international standards and current technologies. It also provides an opportunity for the exchange of knowledge, expertise and experience among delegates from member countries. In 2008, Singapore participated in its first WorldSkills ASEAN Competition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The WorldSkills ASEAN is organised by WorldSkills Singapore Office, a division in SkillsFuture Singapore. For more information, visit www.worldskillsasean.org/2023 .

About SkillsFuture Singapore

SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) drives and coordinates the implementation of the national SkillsFuture movement, promotes a culture of lifelong learning and strengthens the ecosystem of training and adult education in Singapore. Through a holistic suite of national SkillsFuture initiatives, SSG enables Singaporeans to take charge of their learning journey in their pursuit of skills mastery. SSG also works with key stakeholders to ensure that students and adults have access to high quality and industry-relevant training that meet the demands of different sectors of the economy for an innovative and productive workforce. For more information, visit skillsfuture.gov.sg .

ANNEX A

Team Singapore’s overall achievement at WorldSkills ASEAN 2023
(according to award)

 * Winnie Leow won Best of Nation for Information Network Cabling skills area

ANNEX B

Medal tally of the ASEAN Member States at WorldSkills ASEAN 2023

ANNEX C

List of Team Singapore competitors and 22 skills areas