While applause was still ringing out in Lyon to congratulate the three medal winners of the Worldskills France 2023 national final for printers but there was some bad news to dampen the celebrations.
"The printing trade will not be represented at next year's world competition, due to a lack of competing countries" says Rémy Touguay, in charge of the printing workshop for the international final, which should have taken place in Lyon from September 10 to 15, 2024.
Killian Fehringer, 21, a printer's apprentice from Sélestat in the Bas-Rhin region of France, and the other gold medalists from each participating country will not be competing for the title of World's Best Young Printer. "It's a real shame for these young people who have given so much to be part of the national teams..."
The number of 14 participating countries was not reached
For the fourth time in succession, the number of 14 participating countries was not reached. Only 11 countries registered, to which could be added Ukraine, which failed to meet the registration deadline. The discipline has therefore been withdrawn from the international competition.
Countries such as Belgium and Austria did not take part in the competition due to a lack of experts to accompany the youngsters. The chances of new countries registering are slim, given the organization required," says Rémy Tourguay. "From now on, we need as many people as possible to react and influence the organizers' decision."
Intergraf and the Union nationale des industries de l'impression et de la communication (Uniic) have already called on the organizers of WorldSkills 2024 to reconsider this decision.
France's printing industry is heavily involved in the competition, for Uniic
Benoit Duquesne, President of Uniic, sent a letter to this effect to the President of Worldskills France, Florence Poivey. Dated September 26, the letter expresses the fact that the national competition has mobilized the profession.
At Uniic's instigation, Konica installed a digital printing machine and dispatched its instructor to the site, while the Vassel Graphique printing works, located close to the competition venue, hosted the competition in its workshops, making available "free of charge, its workshop, its offset and finishing machines, its staff".
Benoit Duquesne, president of the national association, continues: "You see it, you know it, the profession is mobilized around the Worldskills competitions." The absence of the print shop from the international competition for Lyon 2024 is "a real cold shower for young people, trade experts, the entire professionèreâeuros!"
The president reminds us that young French printers have been winning gold and silver medals in the "Équipe de France des métiers" for several years now.
"The experience of Lyon this year, the resources we have mobilized and which will be present in 2024, as well as the brilliant results of our printers internationally show how ready we are to host the international printers' competition in Lyon from September 10 to 15, 2024."
According to Intergraf, this is a negative sign for young people and tarnishes the reputation of the printing industry
As for Intergraf, the letter sent on the same day to José Fonseca, Director of the WorldSkills competitions, underlines the fact that this late decision spoils the investment already made by the participating countries, both in terms of money and effort.
And the General Secretary of the European Printing Industry Association, Beatrice Klose, "this decision goes further, she is detrimental to the public's understanding of the importance of the printing industry and its contribution to society. Printing technology is a business of the future, with printed products all around us in our daily lives.
We believe the exclusion of print media technology sends a negative message to all young people learning the trade and discredits our industry."
Intergraf has also contacted printers' associations in over 70 countries to enlist their support.
