Professional World Championships: 13 medals for Switzerland

Maximum concentration: the Swiss delegation demonstrates its skills in São Paolo.

13 medals, best European nation and 4th national rank: The Swiss participants can be satisfied with their placement at the World Vocational Championships in Brazil. The fact that it was not quite enough for the podium this time - as has been the case in recent years - is bitter for the young professionals, but the heads of delegation nevertheless draw a positive balance: "I am incredibly proud of our young people," says head of delegation Christine Davatz.

Software developer Lars Tönz from Busswil took gold, while silver was won by the Swiss in the categories of automation technician, carrossier plumber, plasterer drywaller, carpenter, cook, landscape gardener and construction and loading machine mechanic. Bronze was awarded in the categories of panel layer, electronics technician, decorative painter, metal worker and mold maker.

There is also praise from the highest level: Education Minister Schneider-Ammann congratulated the Swiss delegation. "This consistency shows that Switzerland's dual, labor market-oriented vocational education and training system is a model of success," said Federal Councillor Schneider-Ammann. Thanks to the teaching of theory and practice, young people are optimally prepared for working life and are able to achieve top performance. "However, the Swiss result also shows that international competition has increased. In the future, we must take this into account for our work here in Switzerland."

The next edition of World Skills will take place in Abu Dhabi in 2017. Participation is open to young professionals up to the age of 22 who have been successful in regional and national vocational championships. In Switzerland, the Foundation SwissSkills the championships in over 60 different trades. It also prepares the World Cup team for the international championships and supervises the participants.