At the Assembly held in 2023 in Dublin, Croatia was selected as the host of the WorldSkills General Assembly 2025, the most important event of this global organisation dedicated to the development of skills and vocational education. Dubrovnik convincingly won the bid to host and, from the 12th to the 17th of October, in the Valamar Lacroma and Dubrovnik President hotels, will welcome more than 400 participants from around the world. In addition to the main event of the General Assembly 2025, the programme will also include two side events – an international conference and a skills promotion initiative in cooperation with the Champions Trust.
Conference on the Transformation of Education and the Labour Market
As part of the week-long programme, on the 14th of October an international conference will be held under the title “Skills (r)evolution – Empowering the future with skills development and TVET”, hosted by the Agency for Vocational Education and Training and Adult Education (ASOO). This is one of the largest and most important international conferences on skills development and vocational education ever organised in Croatia. It will bring together leading global experts, policymakers, representatives of international organisations, as well as leading global and Croatian companies such as the European Commission, OECD, UNESCO, UNIDO, ILO, ETF, CEDEFOP, and WorldSkills, along with representatives of innovative enterprises, educational institutions, and the public sector. This makes the conference an exceptionally significant event not only for the education sector but also for the economy and the wider social community.
Through plenary lectures, interactive workshops, and panels, participants will discuss key topics shaping today’s world of work and education, including:
- digital and green transition,
- the impact of new technologies and digitalisation on education,
- Industry 5.0,
- micro-qualifications,
- development of modern vocational education systems,
- new models of cooperation between business and education.
Among the confirmed speakers are renowned names in European and global education policy and industry, such as Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills at the OECD; Manuela Geleng, Director for Jobs and Skills at the European Commission; Kristine Naltchadjian, Regional Director of Coursera; along with numerous Croatian experts and institutional representatives involved in the reform of vocational education.
The conference will focus on the role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in responding to global challenges, strengthening workforce resilience, and encouraging innovation.
Additional Programme and the Dubrovnik Experience
Alongside the dynamic professional programme, the General Assembly and conference will also include accompanying activities promoting the importance of skills among young people and the wider public. A special programme dedicated to promoting vocational education will feature performances by students from 11 Croatian vocational schools, interactive skills presentations, and inspiring testimonies from young members of the WorldSkills Champions Trust.
Hosting the WorldSkills General Assembly 2025 in Dubrovnik is both recognition of Croatia’s efforts in the reform of vocational education – with more than 140 new curricula to be introduced from autumn 2025 – and an opportunity to demonstrate to the domestic and international public how skills are becoming a driving force of the future.
Participants will also have the chance to experience the rich cultural and historical heritage of Dubrovnik through a carefully designed social programme – from the official opening ceremony to gala dinners at Lazareti and Revelin Fortress, from tours of the UNESCO-protected Old City to special cultural and artistic performances. In this way, Dubrovnik will present itself not only as the host of a world-class business event but also as a city that unites history, innovation, and inspiration.