Overview

This series of talks aims to reflect on the power of skills in transforming lives, economies, and nations, bringing together different stakeholders in the WorldSkills movement.

Each session will feature up to four in-person guests and two online participants. The talks will take place on the 5, 6 and 7 November 2025, daily starting at 10:00 and 14:30, and will last 1 hour and 30 minutes each.

We will have simultaneous translation into Portuguese, English and Spanish for all sessions.

The Global Stage for Skills

Skills Talks Series

Lisbon, 5-7 November 2025

GMT/UTC+0 | Lisbon/London Time

Talk 1 - Introduction of AI in manual skills

Date & Time: 5 November 2025 - 10:00
Duration: 1h30 to 2h00
Format: Hybrid
Description: This seminar explores how AI is being introduced into traditional hands-on skill areas-such as construction, manufacturing and mechanical areas.
Illustration for Talk 1
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Invited Guests


Narmeen Almarzooqi

WORLDSKILLS CHAMPIONS TRUST REPRESENTATIVE FOR MENA

Narmeen is the WorldSkills Champions Trust representative for MENA. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computational Systems at Zayed University, UAE, and competed in IT Software Solutions for Business at WorldSkills Lyon 2024. As a Champions Trust representative, she aims to encourage young people to recognize the value of skills in shaping their futures and to feel confident exploring the many pathways skill development can open.

Marco Araújo

Collaborator at CEPRA - Centre for Vocational Training in Automotive Repair

Marco Araújo has been a collaborator at CEPRA since 2010, having started as an Automotive Mechatronics Training Technician at CEPRA's delegation in Pedrouços-Maia, a position he held until 2015. In that same year, he was invited to take on the role of Department Manager of the Northern Delegation, a position currently designated as Deputy Director. Although he is commonly addressed as Eng. Marco, he mentions that this title is not something he insists on.

He first learned about the Championships shortly after joining CEPRA and has maintained a continuous involvement ever since, regardless of the position he held.

In the field of Automotive Mechatronics (Automobile Technology), he has participated in several editions, both in preparing competitors and serving as Jury member and Expert:

  • Azores 2011: Preparation of competitor (2nd place);
  • Faro 2012: Preparation of competitor (1st place) and participation as Jury member;
  • EuroSkills 2012 Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps): Preparation of competitor (2nd place) and participation as Observer;
  • WorldSkills 2013 Germany (Leipzig): Preparation of competitor (4th place), Medallion for Excellence and Best of Nation;
  • Porto 2014: Preparation of competitor (1st place);
  • EuroSkills 2014 France (Lille): Preparation of competitor (3rd place);
  • WorldSkills 2015 Brazil (São Paulo): Preparation of competitor, who received a Medallion for Excellence;
  • Coimbra 2016: Preparation of competitor (1st place);
  • EuroSkills 2016 Sweden (Gothenburg): Preparation of competitor (2nd place);
  • WorldSkills 2017 Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates): Preparation of competitor, who received a Medallion for Excellence;
  • Portimão 2023: Invited as Jury President;
  • EuroSkills 2023 Gdańsk (Poland): Participation as Expert, with competitor receiving a Medallion for Excellence;
  • WorldSkills 2024 France (Lyon): Participation as Expert, with competitor receiving a Medallion for Excellence.

Regarding Car Painting:

  • North 2024 (Santa Maria da Feira): Invited as Jury President in the Car Painting skill.

Since his first participation in the Skills Championships, each stage has played a decisive role in his professional development. This experience has brought constant challenges, opened new perspectives and strengthened his passion for vocational training - a sector he considers essential for the country's future.


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Talk 2 - The Experts - Mastering Skills, Shaping Futures

Date & Time: 5 November 2025 - 14:30
Duration: 1h30 to 2h00
Format: Hybrid
Description: A talk with chief experts and specialists discussing evaluation, quality assurance, and the role of the jury in shaping excellence and fairness at WorldSkills.
Illustration for Talk 2
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Invited Guests

  • Anderson Scarlassara - To be confirmed
  • Mark Bramer - Confirmed
  • António Serra Neves - To be confirmed
  • Álvaro Santos - Confirmed
  • Adelino Santos - Confirmed
  • Cláudia Pinto - Confirmed