WorldSkills championships - 4th November 2022

The WorldSkills contest took place in Switzerland. Cooks, electricians, hotel receptionists and other skilled workers are tested and celebrated at this event. They're competing against each other.

Competitors show off their skills in front of an audience and judges.

A 19 year old, Tim Oberli, from Switzerland, took part in the competition for hotel receptionists. His interest in this job started as a child on holiday, while noticing guests and staff in the hotel lobby.

Tim Oberli: "Instead of turning to the kids club or doing anything activity-like, I took a chair, I sat in the lobby and I just observed what is happening in the lobby. I observed people at reception interacting with each other."

Oberli's been a hotel receptionist since 16 and is currently the head of a team of receptionists at a luxury hotel. However, he's still nervous about competing against 15 receptionists from other countries.

Actors play the roles of guests in difficult situations and competitors are expected to solve the problems on the spot.

The global director of WorldSkills, Jane Stokie, explains.

Jane Stokie: "We've got actors here, and the actors are playing the guests. In one module that's happening, there's a troublesome guest, and there's somebody booking in. And in another module, there is an ill guest."

Apart from the practical skills, competitors have to show their knowledge in a written exam. But for Oberli, helping the guests is his main aim.

Tim Oberli: "It is very important to be flexible, to be creative, to have the ability to improvise, and to understand what the guests' needs are."

Though Oberli placed second, he's pleased with his achievement.

Tim Oberli: "It's way more than just this medal. It is about being an ambassador for my profession, it is about showing passion for what I am doing, to represent Switzerland on an international basis, and to make the profession of the hotel reception more attractive."